Shanan had been a Chunin for about six months now. Still no new Sharingan, but she was now The Leaf's top, go-to interrogator and had been sent on special missions when they needed specific information. It helped that she could travel fast with her Storm Cloud Jutsu.

She had gone on several missions now with Jonin she didn't even know before leaving. But she discovered that she could work with anyone to get the job done.

She finally felt like she was getting some downtime and decided to have a quiet drink alone for the night. She was about halfway through her bottle when someone knocked.

"Of course," she said out loud as she made her way to the door. Her cheeks were already a bit warm. She opened the door and saw Shikamaru standing there. "Oh, hey it's you," she said as she smiled.

"Yeah, just me... I see you weren't expecting anyone," he said as he glanced down at her very short shorts.

"Yeah, yeah..." she said as she opened the door to let him in.

"Actually, I'm here because Lady Tsunade sent me to get you. She needs to talk to you about something, so you might wanna get dressed."

"Damn," she went back inside and grabbed some pants and pulled them over her shorts as she walked outside. "Any reason she left it vague when she knows I have three people I care about somewhere out there?"

"Relax, this isn't about any of them, I know that much. I would've heard," he said as they started walking.

Once they made it up to Lady Tsunade's office, Shikamaru went in. "Wait here a second. I'll make sure she's ready for you." He went in and came right back out and grabbed Shanan's hand to pull her in and stood next to her as she spoke with Tsunade.

"Oh good, you dressed for the occasion," she said sarcastically.

"I've been busy lately and mistakenly thought I had the evening off. I'm also a little drunk already if that helps," Shanan retorted boldly.

Shikamaru audibly sighed as he rubbed his temple. She was always like this with Tsunade.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at her as she got up to grab a folder. "Anyway. A while back someone recommended I put you up for the Anbu and you were accepted into the Corps. However, we held off on your transition because the person that recommended-"

"Kakashi. You can just say Kakashi," Shanan interrupted. She wasn't an idiot.

Tsunade sighed heavily. "Fine then. Kakashi very highly recommended you a year ago, but only if you could train under someone very specific. That specific person has been away until now."

Shanan was shocked to see someone in a Kitsune mask suddenly standing on the other side of her. She looked behind her and didn't see any shadows he could've been hiding in.

"Shanan, this is Tenzo. Tenzo, Shanan. She's very insolent. Good luck." She said as she sat back down and held the folder out to him.

"No, I'm not. I'm Shikamaru, but I am very insolent," she said mockingly as she grabbed Tenzo's hand and shook it.

"I'm Shikamaru," Shikamaru said impatiently as he leaned forward to where Tenzo could see him before nudging Shanan gently to behave. "Stop being an idiot," he whispered to her.

Tenzo removed his kitsune mask and looked at Shanan somewhat amused as he grabbed the folder from Tsunade.

"Oh hey, cool thing," she said as she made a circle around her face. "The metal thing..."

"Tenzo, take her to get her new gear and explain her training," Tsunade told him.

"Yes m'lady," he said as he bowed slightly.

Shanan bowed deeply. "Alright, bye Granny," Shanan said as she raised an eyebrow at her.

"This way," he said to Shanan a bit nervously as he held the door open.

"I'll wait by the door for you," Shikamaru said to her before she left the room.

"Alright, see you in a bit," she said as she made her way to the door. "So where're we going?" Shanan asked.

"Just downstairs."

"I'm not that insolent. Only with her, because she's insensitive," Shanan assured him. "If you're someone that Kakashi trusts, then I trust you too."

He nodded at her. "Kakashi and I go a long way back. So if he trusts you, then I guess we trust each other," he said as they reached the window to a room full of clothes, various armor and gear along with one man inside.

"Ah, the new Anbu recruit. I already have your bundle ready. Take a look at everything and make sure it'll fit which it should if your measurements are up to date," he said as he handed her a bundle of clothes and supplies with her own kitsune mask on top.

She pulled everything out and examined it thoroughly. Before knocking on the window again.

"Yes?"

"I don't think my measurements are up to date. This top armor is going to squeeze my chest to where I can't breathe. Also the shirt is just... not good. I'd like a different one, please."

Tenzo watched their interaction nervously as he rubbed the back of his head and Shanan looked over at him and winked as she gave him a thumbs up.

"This is why they're supposed to measure you kids every six months," he said, slightly annoyed as he took the armor and shirt back to find her some replacements.

"I don't think I've been measured since I was fourteen, actually. Oh hey, you got any Kakashi masks back there?" Shanan said jokingly.

"No. Well, actually..." he said as he wandered off to the back. "Here." He handed her a new top and a new piece of armor.

Shanan held the shirt up and it was definitely one of Kakashi's. "Why is this so small?" she asked him as she chuckled.

"Oh that was from his first year in the Anbu. He was pretty young. Is that the one you want?" he asked.

Shanan started to tear up a little. She had said it as a joke, but now she was sure she wanted to keep it. "Uh... yeah."

"Ok, I have more then. It's always good to have a few backups," he said as he handed her two more shirts.

"Oh, do I get a pair of those long gloves?" Shanan asked him.

"Ah yes, I got you covered. Try these on," he said as he slid a pair of long gloves through the window.

She tried them on and they went about halfway between her elbows and shoulders. "These are perfect."

"And your tattoo will still show. You're all set I think."

"Thanks," Shanan said appreciatively as she walked off with her bundle. She hadn't really had time to really absorb what all was happening as she had been a bit drunk and not at all prepared for any of this.

"Are you ready?" Tenzo asked her, smirking.

"Why are you so happy?" she asked as they started walking.

"Kakashi will be surprised, that's all. He once tried to convince me to wear a mask like him, but I like to be able to breathe easily," he said with a chuckle.

"I'll get used to it," she said as she picked up her kitsune mask. "This is cool looking. I think it'll suit me really well."

"Yeah, Kakashi painted that. Like Lady Tsunade said, he put your name out there a year ago on the day he left."

"Oh..." Shanan said quietly.

"He doesn't believe in a lot of people, you know? But I guess we're both pretty lucky."

"He saved me when I was really little. I don't remember anything before him and who knows where I'd be if anyone else had shown up? Probably a part of the lake I was standing in. Crying alone in darkness," she said simply. Of course she didn't remember any other details or even where she had actually been. She never once questioned why she had been standing in a lake or why she'd needed to be saved, since it was just so ingrained in her memory. "Did he help you?" she asked as she looked up at him.

"He helped me redeem and prove myself. He gave me that opportunity and he didn't have to."

Shanan smiled at him. "Yes he did..." she said thoughtfully as they reached the entrance to the building.

"Well, it was good to meet you, Shanan. We'll meet at your usual training place tomorrow at 9 AM. I don't like to wake up too early and don't worry, I know exactly where it's at. Try not to drink anymore and get some rest," he said as he left her.

Shanan met back up with Shikamaru and he walked her home as they talked about her new adventure in joining the Anbu. This would all surely sink in in the morning.