-------------Ten minutes after the first chapter was posted, in Meilin's room------------

Meilin: YAY! REVIEWER!

Sasuke: That fast? Nah.

Meilin: Yep! See? -Waves Kage-Ichihashi's review at muses-

Duo: That's the longest review you've ever gotten. EVER. On anything.

Meilin: YEPPERS! RESPONSE TIME!

Kage-Ichihashi: Thanks for the most wonderful review ever! I am extremely honored that you took the time to type that. And just wait, we have yet to get to the actual plot. Probably the most angsty thing I've ever had the courage to post. I appreciate the criticism on 'Colors of the Wind,' however, I wanted to pick the most innocent song I could, to reflect her at that time, a naive little kid. But do tell, when was it used? I'm quite curious. As for that tip on flashbacks, I may yet go back and change that, but really, would Italics be practical for that whole flashback? I appreciate your opinion. You don't want to know how many time's I spell checked it, by the way. I'm so glad you think Meilin's not Mary-Sue-ish... That was my biggest concern. As for the Uchiha estate thing, we never see Sasuke's house, but as I heard, there were about 200+ Uchiha's Itachi killed, they were very wealthy, and they all lived together, so I envisioned their house as an estate, really huge. Kinda like the Sohma estate if you ever saw Fruits Basket. THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEW! I'll be sure to review you soon too!

Meilin: I will now proceed to type the second chapter, as a review like that made the months of editing well worth it.

Disclaimer: I said it once, didn't I? I don't own anything except the Lyric no Jutsu, Meilin, my computer, the traveler ninja rank, and my version of the origin of Otogakure/Hide-In-Sound. And my plushies. -Hugs Sasuke and Hinata Plushies-

Notes: "Talking." - Duh

'Thinking'

---------- time passing -----------

(Authors Notes)

Meilin: ON WITH THE FIC!

---------------------- A Shinobi's Fate, Chapter Two: Surprises and Betrayal ---------------------

---------------------------------------Next Morning----------------------------------------------

Sasuke and Meilin walked to the meeting point for Team 7. Amazingly enough, Kakashi was on time. "Ah, Meilin-chan." Kakashi called, "Good! You're right on time."

Sasuke shot Meilin a look. "How'd he know you were coming?"

"I'm assisting him now, didn't I tell you?" she asked sweetly.

Sasuke sighed. "You know I hate surprises."

"Oh, Do you?" she said innocently, the anime halo above her head.

Sasuke smirked. "You..." he noogied her, "You planed this, didn't you, you little vixen!"

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe." she said, pulling out of his grip and fixing her hair.

Narrator's vein popped. "HEY! Who's this? Stop ignoring us!" he yelled.

Meilin blinked. Kakashi sighed. "This is Meilin Kimura, Jonin of Konoha, Suna, and Kiri."

Sakura gasped. "But how is that possible?"

Narrator glared. "Yeah, prove it!"

Meilin sighed. She had the Kenosha leaf headband on, but she had to direct their gaze to her pack, where the Kiri mists and Suna sands glittered, tied to the strap. There was also a smaller, violet headband that bore the symbol of a Kyuubi.

Kakashi decided to explain. "Meilin is a traveler ninja. She works as a diplomat between villages. If a village is impressed with or prefers a particular traveler, they bestow that traveler with the appropriate headband and rank."

Sakura smiled. "You get to travel? That sounds wonderful!"

Meilin sighed. "It can be, but it usually isn't. My job entails some very dangerous things, like settling disputes between villages, transporting top-secret intelligence and protecting people from Missing Nins. There is so much blood..."

Naruto gawked. "If it's such a dangerous job, why's a kid doing it?"

Meilin smirked. "Many reasons."

Naruto growled. Kakashi sighed. "And in case you were getting any bright ideas about becoming a traveler nin, you can't. a requirement is a multi-village heritage."

Sakura blinked. "Huh? But then how..."

Sasuke smirked. "Meilin's mother is from Kiri, her father is from Suna, and her grandmother from Konoha. The Kimura's and the Uchiha have always allied in the struggle for power, so Meilin came to stay here, where it was safe. You remember the 'graduation' ritual of Kiri? The hatred and pain of being of a clan like ours? If anything, Suna was worse. Their clans have been fighting civil wars over who's the strongest for generations. If you'd ever listened in class, you know that, dunce."

Meilin smiled sadly. "You wouldn't want to be a traveler anyways. You can't imagine the pain it can cause..."

Kakashi nodded wisely. "But she's not in Konoha on traveler business today. As a Jonin, Meilin asked the Hokage to assist the training of her friends. As such..." he smiled. "Meilin will be assisting Kurenai and I."

Naruto and Sakura's jaws dropped. "But she's barely older than we are!" Naruto protested.

"And much more experienced." Kakashi said in a tone that silenced argument.

Sakura looked confused. "She's obviously a friend of Sasuke. But why is she helping Kurenai?"

Meilin smiled. "Because I have known Hyuuga Hinata since she was three years old."

Kakashi motioned to end the banter. "We'll be taking a mission from the Hokage at noon. Until then, you are dismissed." He said, leaping away.

Sasuke shrugged and sighed. "Whatever. Wanna grab a bite, Meilin?"

Meilin nodded. "Okay."

Sasuke turned to walk off, but Naruto growled. "Hey Sasuke!" he called, "How long have you known her? Is she even trustworthy?"

Sasuke turned around and glared. In the blink of an eye, there was a very shiny, very sharp Kunai an inch from Narrator's throat. "It's none of your business. And don't you ever doubt Meilin's honesty, baka."

Meilin's eyes watered. 'Sasuke... If you knew... If you knew that I was hiding it from you... IF you knew I was hiding information to protect you... Would you still think of me so?'

Sasuke lowered the blade, and stowed it again. Taking Meilin's hand, he walked off. "Don't listen to the dunce, Meilin."

Meilin smiled softly. "It's alright. I understand." she said as they arrived at the restaurant.

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Meilin stretched as they sat down. Sasuke grinned. "You can have whatever you want Meilin. my treat."

She glanced at him. "I couldn't."

"I insist."

"Then let's share a beef pot, just like the old days."

Sasuke smiled at the memory. "Sure." Once it came, they talked lightly of things as they ate, until a voice startled them. "Meilin!" a voice called at the entrance.

Meilin turned. "Kurenai-san? What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. Lord Hokage wants to see you, and our cells immediately."

"Now? Drat..." she said, rising from her chair. Sasuke grabbed her wrist. "You're going?"

"I have to."

"Not without me."

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The Hokage looked down at the documents in front of him, then up at the nine shinobi in front of him. "A mission for you, Meilin."

Meilin, standing closest to the Hokage, sighed. "Already? But I thought..."

"A... Situation has come up regarding Otogakure. Did you not request to be notified?"

"Sound? Well... That does change things a bit... What would you have me do?"

Sasuke made a move forwards, as if to speak with her, but Kakashi motioned him to be silent. The Hokage smiled. "Not nearly as bad as last time. A scroll needs to be delivered to Sunagakure, directly into the hands of the children of the Kazekage. They will divulge its secrets as they see fit.You will take these eight along."

Meilin's face fell. "But... But Lord Hokage! Sasuke and the others, they're but Genin! Delivering a scroll is simple, alone, in stealth... The dangers of companions..."

"Will be good for them."

"An A-level mission, Lord?"

"A B. I don't have any reason to believe that the south trail can pose significant risks to them."

Meilin sighed, resigned. "Very well, Lord Hokage." she said, taking the scroll and stowing it in the pouch at her waist.

Kakashi lowered his arm, and Sasuke ran forwards. "Meilin..."

She didn't turn around. "Cells Seven and Ten!" she called, "Pack for a four day journey. Dismissed." Sasuke grabbed her wrist. Meilin's eyes watered. "You too, Sasuke."

He let go and nodded. "Ma'am." he said softly, leaving. Meilin, Kurenai, and Kakashi left through the other door. Meilin had been composed in the presence of the Hokage, but the moment the door closed she collapsed against the wall. "Oh Gods... Sasuke... What will I do?"

Kurenai put a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Meilin sobbed. "Sasuke... This mission... This mission is wrong. Those kids don't need to experience my line of work. And... And Sasuke... If her finds out... If he hears that I've been hiding it from him..." she fell to the floor. "Sasuke... He'll never forgive me."

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Hiding what?"

Meilin muttered something incomprehensive, growling. "You're not authorized to know that information..."

"Then why the guilt over hiding it from a Genin?"

"You're so stupid!" she yelled at Kakashi, "I took this job as part of a plan... A plan for Sasuke and I to avenge and restore the Uchiha! I promised Sasuke that when I heard news, I'd tell him! But... I can't tell him about Akasuki! Orochimaru already branded him, and facing him with Itachi... Sasuke's the only family I have left! I can't let him die too!"

"Meilin!" cam the one voice she least wanted to hear. When she looked up, the tears and the look of betrayal on his face broke her heart into a million, tiny pieces.

"Sasuke..."

"How could you!" he yelled, turning and running away.

"Sasuke! Wait! SASUKE!" she yelled, following. She collapsed halfway down the narrow hallway. "Sasuke... Sasuke..." she sobbed.

Kurenai looked on with pity. "Jonin or not, she's still only a child Kakashi. She cannot do this."

"It's true, she's no older than Gai's cell... But she is a Jonin. Her only responsibility is to her villages." Kakashi responded automatically.

"Can you really think that?" Kurenai asked, looking at the sobbing girl on the floor.

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Meilin: IT'S FINISHED! I know, I'm a lazy typist, but in my defense: I was away for four days.

Sasuke: Baka. Get on with the posting already!

Meilin: ALL RIGHT ALL RIGHT! This one's for you, Kage-kun. Hope you liked.

Duo: Or she'll cry.

Meilin: Not true!

Ed: -Muttering- is too...

Meilin: Remember, reviews speed the typing process!