The bell over the door to the shop chimes but I don't look up from my knitting. I know who it is anyway.

"Kiko!" Naruto's jubilant shout pierces the air and for some reason I can't find it in me to be annoyed. Perhaps it is the copious misfortunes I know the loud brat will soon be setting upon a certain chunin that lightens my mood and makes me more forgiving. Ah yes. Sweet revenge. Still, no matter how tolerant I'm feeling it wouldn't do to let him get away with the shouting.

"Naruto." I reply flatly, "Inside voice." My bent head shields my amused smile from view.

"Sorry Kiko!" He amends in a stage whisper.

"Huh. Impressive." A new (slightly put out) voice remarks, no doubts in regards to my getting Naruto to quiet down.

To this I do look up, into the masked face of Sharingan no Kakashi. I smirk ever so slightly. "It's about respect, really." I reply faux casually, the subtle dig slipping out. I really shouldn't, I know, but I'm in such a delightfully spiteful mood, I almost can't help it. Hatake doesn't give any impression whether he notices or not but he's a jonin so that goes without saying.

"Hello again, Kiko." Sakura politely bows, though her smile is somewhat fixed.

Setting aside my knitting I nod to her. "Sakura." Then I look past her to the mysterious Sasuke and freeze.

Cold black eyes.

Endless.

Void.

Seething.

Cold eyes mean violence.

My breath catches and all I can think is No, get out! Stay away from me-!

"So, so what's the mission? Eh, Kiko?" I snap my gaze over to Naruto who is bouncing on his toes. For the second before my heart rate slows, I consider kicking them all out and forgetting this ever happened. But I can't do that to Naruto so I settle for just forgetting the existence of his second teammate. Oblivious to my momentary panic, Naruto rambles on. "We didn't get a mission scroll at all and nobody even briefed us on what we're gonna do. It's some super secret spy mission right? I bet it's not actually a D-rank mission at all and that's just a cover and you and old man Hokage are finally recognizing my awesome talent as a ninja!" Somehow, miraculously, the hyperactive blonde's overactive imagination manages to soothe my nerves and restore my previous light mood.

Sakura looks about to reprimand Naruto with her fist when my low ominous chuckle cuts her off. "Well… you're not wrong." I say of his wild speculations. Instantly I have the three genin's attention. I look up with mischievously hooded eyes. "This mission is highly unusual, and due to its… nature, I'm not surprised the mission desk was reluctant to have it documented." By now I can feel seven eyes boring into me. "As your target is a ninja, the level for this mission should in fact be as high as a B-rank."

Sakura gasps. "B-rank? But those are only assigned to experienced chunin!"

Naruto's eyes are huge. "So why'd you choose us huh? They said you requested team seven specifically!"

I lean forward conspiratorially, and the three genin subconsciously take a step closer. "I don't know much about you two," I say glancing at Sakura and around Sasuke, "but you, Naruto, have specific skills this mission will require." Staring deep into his glittering blue eyes I seriously tell him, "I would have no one but you perform this mission Naruto."

His face sets in grim determination tinged with elation. "I won't let you down Kiko!"

"What's the mission?" a cool voice interrupts my thoughts and I flinch minutely. It's been years since I've had to read the nuances in Uchiha monotone, but his emotions easily come through to me nonetheless; curiosity tinged with rivalry and impatience. I resume my knitting I'd previously set down in order to gather myself. Sasuke then takes another step closer. I tense further. "Is that… senbon and ninja wire?" He asks incredulously.

"How astute of you." I drawl with a sneer. For a split second my gaze flits to his face and my expression twists-

I turn back to Naruto. He has a pensive look on his face, glancing between his rival and me. I clear my throat. "Your mission is... to dissuade Hagane Kotetsu from making any more unwanted romantic advances towards my person through whatever means you deem suitable…" with a wink at Naruto I add, "though I myself am partial to pranking him."

Hooting with glee, Naruto's previously thoughtful expression is gone in a flash. "Hell yeah! I'm gonna make him regret he even looked at you Kiko-nee!"

I blink in surprise. Kiko-nee? I'd implied Naruto thought of me as family when applying for the mission but I didn't really think-

"All right, all right." Hatake mutters, placing a hand atop Naruto's head to stop his jumping up and down. "You can take lead for this one, Naruto. Sakura, you're in charge of distracting the target and updating the boys of his location through the intercom. Sasuke, lend Naruto an extra pair of hands and make sure he doesn't get carried away. I want this safe for innocent bystanders. No collateral. Understood?"

He's answered with a chorus of "Hai!"

"Good, head out." The one-eyed jonin turns back to me. "Now, Kiko. Might I have a word?"