Shikako woke up feeling no more rested than she was when she fell asleep the night before, but incapable of going back to sleep. She looked over, emotionally exhausted, at the glow in the dark clock on her night stand. Four in the morning. Too late to go to sleep anyway, the alarm was set for five. "Damnit."

She sighed, letting her senses seep out with her breath to divine the state of the house and the people in it. Really, she just wanted to make sure Shikamaru wasn't up yet. Despite the deep wrongness of the furnace-like hate in her heart and the despair it had inspired, the hate was still only an arms length away, ready to be there for her again at the memory of his words the night before.

She sat up suddenly in her bed at the feeling of quietly burning embers that signified the feeling of Sasuke's chakra, deep in sleep on the couch. Well, it wasn't like they had to go train at six. She only had to be at the hospital for school at nine…

Her mind made up, she slunk around the house, doing what chores she could in the darkness of the morning to prolong the time she could stay in bed.

She crept up to his side, kneeling beside him, and brushing some hair off his face. "Sasuke."

His eyes blearily opened. "Yeah?" He groaned. His eyes flickered briefly across the room to the clock on the wall.

She hesitated. "Can you come and sleep with me again?"

He blinked at her, the expression on his face at first screaming, "Are you trying to start another fight?" before settling on, "If it'll make you feel better."

They crept back to her room, an easy task, there was a reason she had selected the bedroom on the first floor when they had rearranged things for Kino, and slunk inside. She propped the door open with a book, he was right, she'd prefer not to start another fight. And turned around to find him waiting on her to crawl in first. She nudged him towards the bed instead. "I trust you, but not when you're asleep." She joked tiredly, poking him in the side.

"I would never…." He protested, horrified. He turned to look at her tired grin as he crawled in and rolled his eyes. "You are the worst." He groaned, rolling over to face the wall.

She adjusted the alarm clock and crawled in after him, cuddling up against his back and throwing her arm over his side. "You won't be the death of me." She whispered. "I promise."


The alarm clock rang at seven. Still far too early for her mood. Sasuke cursed into the pillow and stretched as she rolled over to slap the alarm quiet.

He followed her, sitting up on the side of the bed and hesitating a moment before leaning over to kiss her chastely on the cheek. "Morning." He mumbled before getting up. "I'll start coffee."

"I'll feed the deer." She responded.

Sasuke first stopped by the living room and folded the blanket and put it away to disguise his absence from the couch before starting to cook, trying to ignore the door as Shikamaru shambled in not too long afterwards, an enormous bruise across his face.

He stopped. "Did you sleep here?"

"On the couch," Sasuke answered shortly. "Your mother wouldn't let me leave."

Shikamaru stood there silently, almost awkward in his own house. "I'm sorry. " He apologized finally. "I shouldn't have said that."

"If you don't mean it, don't say it." Sasuke returned. "Besides, which part are you sorry for? Blaming me for Shikako's injuries? Accusing me of molesting my best friend? Claiming that I'm trying to pull your family into dealing with my problems? Taunting me about my lack of a family? Or saying that I'm going to get everyone I care about killed?"

"All of it." He said, the words slithering out clenched jaws, pride warring with guilt. 'Shikamaru, even if Sasuke had died with his family, Orochimaru still would have ripped the village apart to get even. I would know, he was my ANBU Captain for a time. And he's not the first to have attacked a teammate under the influence of drugs or genjutsu or worse. None of that was his fault. ' his father's words rang in his ears. "More or less. I at least shouldn't have said some of what I said the way I said it. I was intending to hurt you with things that I shouldn't have used to hurt anyone."

"What exactly could you have said differently?"

"I think that you are encouraging a pattern of behavior in Shikako that is going to get her killed one day. And Naruto isn't helping. She is taking on enemies that she isn't, and likely never will be, equipped to handle and she's doing it because they are after you and him." He stated flatly. "I also think that the two of you are so close that there's nothing you two wouldn't do for each other. And that's not a compliment."

"I don't think you're even aware of what she's really equipped to handle. Have you even read her bingo book pages within the last six months? Because I've been there for most of it. Frankly, if I was to touch her like you think we're doing, we aren't, and it wasn't something she wanted, I'd be dead before I could enjoy it. She's more powerful and more ruthless than anyone in this house. In a less than straight fight I'd give her better odds at killing Itachi than me." Sasuke retorted, pouring coffee into a mug lined generously with honey and a slight bit of cream for Shikako. "And we aren't like that anyway, there's a reason it's been over a month since we started dating and yet that was our first kiss." He paused. "Also, she's coming back in." He warned, pulling the fried rice off the stove and plating it up as Shikako padded into the kitchen.

She took the plate and his offered mug of coffee. She stopped in front of Shikamaru and his purple-black face. "I'm sorry for hitting you." She said flatly before moving around him and sitting at the table.

"I may have deserved it." He apologized quietly after a moment.

She looked at him, and then at Sasuke as he sat down with his own breakfast.

"He apologized." He confirmed. "As much of one as I'm going to get anyway."

She stared at him for a moment and then rolled her eyes. "Fine." She muttered, taking a drink and having to stop her eyes from rolling back in her head from the pleasure of it. "Fuck, how do you know me so well?"

Sasuke grinned smugly into his own coffee.


"You want me to come to lunch with you?" Sasuke asked as they separated before the hospital.

Shikako shook her head. "No. That's when I'm going to tell Sakura."

He nodded and pulled her into a hug. "I hope it goes well." He said into her ear. "I don't want you to lose a friend over me either."

"I won't." She said, looking up into his eyes, determined. "Not if she's really my friend."

He couldn't seem to find what to say to that. So he leaned in to kiss her, and tried to make it brief, before pulling away. "Good luck."

"Where are you off to?" She asked, starting to walk towards the doors.

"Gonna see if Team Eight will take me for the day." He shrugged, walking away. "Do some laundry."

…….

Sakura was already in the lab, green armor vest hanging on the hook by the door, and a sterile white coat and safety glasses on and her hair pulled up into a neat bun on the back of her head.

Shikako smiled as she stuffed her books into a cubby of her own and hung her vest beside it. "I told Ino about your promotions, we should celebrate sometime."

Sakura deflated slightly.

Shikako frowned. "Do you not-?"

"Ami's dead." Sakura blurted out. "I couldn't save her."

Shikako stopped. "Oh. How?" She asked.

She told her. It wasn't quick, and it wasn't clean. "How did it feel?" She asked. "In the forest, when you killed for the first time."

Shikako stood still, leaned over the sink in the center of the table and stared into the endless depths of the stainless steel. "I felt tired." She admitted. "At that point I had two broken ribs, a broken arm, a broken nose and barely any chakra and I'd been awake for nearly twenty four hours. I was too tired to feel anything. But when it was all over, I was relieved, I guess, that my team wasn't in danger any more. They were there with orders to kill Sasuke, so that wasn't a problem any more. By the time the second exam was over it was far enough away that I didn't feel much of anything really."

Sakura took a minute to absorb that. "Right afterwards, I was so busy trying to save her that I didn't have the chance to...get back at them in the heat of the moment. The others drove them off." She said, "After she died, I was so angry. So we tracked them down. Anko taught us a lot of that. How to sneak around and track people. And we found them two nights later, and I killed every last one of them. And it felt really good. And I don't know how to feel about that. It makes me sick to think about it, but then I remember how she died and I'm glad I did it." Sakura confessed shakily.

"You're not a bad person." Shikako reassured her. "Is Sasuke a bad person because he wants revenge?"

She snorted. "Speaking of whom, how long have you been with him?"

Shikako's heart pounded in her chest, and she took a deep breath. "I'm guessing you saw us through the window?"

Sakura nodded.

"A month and a half." She said, "I was going to tell you at lunch today, I didn't think coming back from Kiri was the time or place for it." She paused. "I want you to know that I don't think either of us intended on it. I, for sure, was not thinking about how to get with him when we were put on a team and if he hadn't told me how he felt a month and a half ago I could have gone my whole life not wanting anything to do with romance. And I don't think he started out, well, he started out not even really wanting a friend, but he certainly wasn't looking for a girlfriend."

Sakura looked conflicted. "He asked you?"

Shikako nodded. "Yeah, he had this flower arrangement with all the flowers representing all the things he likes about me, and I took a day to think about how I felt about him and stuff and I decided to give us, having a relationship at all, a try."

Sakura looked pissed and trying not to show it. "You didn't love him?"

Shikako, still looking at the sink, felt the spike in her chakra, like an earthquake under Sakura's skin. "No, I loved him. He's my best friend, my family, and I loved him more than anything, I just didn't know how exactly I loved him. And I didn't know if I wanted to risk that friendship with a relationship." She clarified. "I'm glad I did, because I do know now. It's done nothing but add on to our friendship. I love him so much. But I don't want you to think that I just ignored how you feel about him or that I deliberately set out after him or something because I didn't value our friendship. Because I do, and I don't want to lose you."

Sakura sighed, slumping down to the ground and leaning back against the lab table. "You won't. I've been more or less expecting this possibility. I'm glad you're happy, I'm glad Sasuke's happy. That's all I want for him. More than anything." She sobbed. "It still hurts, knowing he doesn't want me. When I've wanted him for so long, when I've wanted to make him happy for so long."

Shikako sat down next to her, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I know why I love him. But can I ask why you do? I've never asked you, and the reasons I love him are because of how I've grown to know him over our friendship. But I've never known why you do, because I know it's not why he thinks you love him."

Sakura looked over at her apprehensively. "Why does he think I love him?"

"Family, power, and looks." Shikako said, "And while I know it's gotta be something deeper, I don't blame him for thinking that. He's kinda got a problem with people wanting him for that."

Sakura nodded. "Do you remember how he was before…. what happened to his family? I just still see that kind, awesome kid everyday who shared his lunch, loved his mom and helped people with homework and I know he's still there." She paused. "He is also very pretty, and really cool too. But it's more all of it."

Shikako nodded and looked up at the clock, it was almost time for the teacher to come in. "You're not angry though? We're still friends?"

Sakura wiped her eyes. "Yeah." She said shakily. "I'm a little jealous. But I'm glad the two of you are happy." She sniffed and gave a sad little grin. "I'm kinda used to giving things up. Besides, look how this turned out. " She gestured to her lab coat.

Shikako pulled her into a hug. "You're an amazing person, Sakura. People are going to see that." She whispered. "I don't know how I got chosen to take your place, I'm just glad things are still turning out better for you."


Of course, naturally, because life hated him, or loved him he wasn't entirely sure which, today was one of the days that Team Eight was training with Team Ten in one of Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei's blatant attempts to spend time with each other while pretending that they weren't.

Fortunately, other than their sensei, he ran into Kiba first.

"You look pissed." He commented, analyzing the scant sign Asuma had left to test team Ten's tracking ability to make sure they would have to work for their barbeque. "Does it have anything to do with Shikamaru looking like he got on the wrong side of his sister?"

In some places, he may have subtly erased something to force them to circle to find the next sign, because Kiba could be a dick like that.

"Last night wasn't great." He answered shortly, making sure he masked his chakra presence to nothing. No reason to ruin the exercise.

"Destroy your scent as well, Ino's using those damn snakes of hers." Kiba ordered. "What happened, Kako wouldn't kiss you?"

Sasuke did as he asked. "I thought she used chameleons."

"They told her to kill her snake or the deal was off, and Ino didn't like that. So she gave the contract to that genjutsu girl with the psycho paintings and signed up with Anko's snakes the day after." Kiba explained. "You didn't answer my question."

"We did, and Shikamaru threw a fit." He said awkwardly.

Kiba's head snapped up.

Sasuke waved him off. "We dealt with him, lay off."

He snorted. "She sure as hell did. Good?"

"What?"

"The kiss, was it good?"

"I'm not going to kiss and tell, are you insane!?"

"So, fucking fantastic then, huh."

Sasuke seethed, his bad mood not getting any better.

" 'ke I'm not asking if she used tongue. I'm just glad it's going well for you two. I have a sister, three of them really, I'm not going to ask you to kiss and tell." He said, punching Sasuke in the shoulder.

"Where's Akamaru?" Sasuke asked.

Kiba grimaced. "He got injured on a mission last week. Lucky Sevens' kinda stuff. He's fine, but he's on mandatory bed rest right now."

"What happened?"

"You and Shikako free this evening?" He returned. "We got you a present but we kinda want to see the look on your faces at the same time."

Sasuke glared at him.

"Trust me, you'll like it." He reassured.

As soon as they reached the opening, Kiba beelined for Ino, Choji and Shikamaru to tell them the course was set and Sasuke went to Kurenai for genjutsu drills, which he did for an hour until she sent him home, head pounding. He did as she ordered and took a nap and some pain relievers while his laundry went through.


"Team Eight has a present for us over dinner." Sasuke greeted Shikako as she and Sakura left the hospital. "Sakura." He nodded politely. He hesitated. "If you want to come with us, you can."

Shikako cocked her head to the side. "Did he say what it was?" She asked, tangling her fingers with his own.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, he just promised we'd like it and that they wanted to see the looks on our faces."

Sakura shrugged. "At least it'll probably be funny."

Shikako winced. "It can't be more 'winnings' could it?"

"Can't be, he promised we'd like it." He disagreed.

"Winnings?" Sakura asked.

"People were placing bets on us." Shikako elaborated, disgusted.

Sakura blinked. "Oh."

"It's just as awkward for us as it is for you." Sasuke promised distastefully.

Akimichi restaurants were built for ninja. All the little alcoves with tables in them and curtains that could be drawn around, the privacy seals that sealed sound from leaving them, but not from entering, the open layout and multiple entrances all lent themselves to a quiet, private place where food could be had and confidential business could be discussed without fear of nosy neighbors. And the food was fantastic, but not particularly expensive.

So naturally, as always, it was packed out.

Fortunately, Team Eight, minus Kurenai Yuuhi, had already saved them a table.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't our newest Chunin." Kiba grinned. "Decided to come down from the Tower to slum it with the rest of us, huh?"

"Like I wasn't the last of you to get a vest." Sakura grumbled.

"Hey, if you had the luck we've had since our first exams, you'd know that's a fair exchange." Kiba shot back.

"Congratulations Sakura!" Hinata greeted. "We're glad you're back!"

"Yes, now you can tell us what Mist is like." Shino agreed.

"Hot and humid." Sakura answered. "Unless you were on a beach, and then it was beautiful the whole time. And there were huge crocodiles everywhere." She shuddered. "They got at least a dozen people and I swear they could use chakra to hide themselves."

"Mostly Iwa fuckers I hope." Kiba shrugged, hitting the little button on the side of the booth to signal when they were ready to order.

After they received their food they got down to business and activated the privacy seals.

"So what's the present?" Shikako asked bluntly. "You said we'd like it."

Hinata pulled a bundle wrapped in orange paper and a black ribbon out of her bag and passed it across the table.

It was a torn, bloodied Akatsuki cloak.

"Seven left." Shino said smugly.

Sasuke sputtered. "Who!? When!? What the fuck!?"

"Is that an Akatsuki cloak?" Sakura asked with morbid curiosity.

Shikako tore her eyes from the clothing, feeling bewildered and overwhelmed with emotion. Her vision grew blurry.

Kiba grinned. "Intel said his name was Kakuzu. Apparently he's the partner of some talking head in the basement. Guy kept killing his partners for the bounty and when the only partner they found for him who couldn't be killed ran off they just left him solo.

We found him on the edge of the Land of Rice on a fluke and so Hinata sent in a Lioness with a message and they diverted Kakashi to come help out." Kiba shrugged. "He was a bitch at first but then Kakashi figured out he had multiple hearts and it was just a matter of getting Hinata in range without getting fucked up." He pointed at Sasuke. "Thanks for the Earth and Fire scrolls by the way."

Shikako stared at him, at the bloody fabric in her hands, and then back up at him, stunned.

"So, do we get a thank you?" He asked cheekily

Sasuke sputtered, mesmerized by the cloak. "Thanks doesn't cut it."

"Aww, you gonna cry?"

Shikako wiped her eyes. "I might." She laughed. "Hinata, you're awesome."

Kiba grinned. "So that's seven left, huh, your lucky number?"

"And all the other countries have been warned." Sasuke huffed.

Kiba shrugged. "Well, Kumo might be cradle robbers to the last genin, but at least they aren't the likes of Itachi. I'd rather them and their bloodline theft shit have their Biju than Akatsuki."

"That was Tsunade's thought process when she told them." Sakura confirmed.

"Killer B and Yugito are strong, they'll at least fuck up one or two more."

"As long as Gaara stays in Sand they'll have to come to him. That's one or two more." Shino added pensively.

"Don't forget Mist." Sasuke added. "Haku is Jinchurikki of the Sanbi now."

Kiba winced. "Prissy'll freeze the ocean solid with that kinda chakra. He just has to get them underwater once and he'll freeze them so deep…."

"Wait…." Shikako paused. "Hinata, you can summon lions?"

She beamed. "Yeah, I reverse summoned and it brought me to them and they let me sign on. I did it right before you left."

Sakura shook her head. "I'm so behind." she despaired.


AN: enjoy. and review, please :)

Kakuzu is undoubtedly one of the weakest members of Akatsuki, he's as strong as he is because of his extra hearts, and the flexibility of his moveset. But he can absolutely be pinned down and worn down. and with the internal damage the Hyuuga taijutsu can pull off, if they can just get close without being slaughtered, he's utterly fucked. And Shino is capable of simply draining people to a lifeless husk. Kakashi and Team Eight are canonically, not counting the increased flexibility of their moveset I've given them, capable of pulling off this. Maybe not Kakuzu AND Hidan, but definitely Kakuzu alone

Hinata canonically kinda has a lion theme going with her Double Lion Fists technique that only she is seen using, and it's heavily implied that she created it herself, so I gave her a Lion contract.