A/N: There's so many scenes that I want to fit into this fic, but I think I'm going to have to narrow it down. This and the next chapter are already much longer than my usual chapters, and ideally, I would've liked to have 17 and 18 as one chapter. But oh well, detail wins me over again.

Updating again pretty quickly because I'm a sucker for reviews, so thank you again :)

Answer to the question is the letter Q!

And the riddle answer is one, because after the first, the box is not empty anymore!

I still don't own Naruto or any of its characters.

Two Years Later

'I swear, when we get back to Konaha, I'm going to make sure Granny Tsunade gives me something more worthwhile than another lousy C-rank escort mission. Any old genin could have completed that job!'

'Urgh, will you quit your moaning, Naruto! You're so troublesome…'

'Ah come on, Shikamaru, you can't pretend you aren't bored by these missions, too!'

'I'm bored by your ranting, that's for sure.'

Mika supressed a chuckle at the duo ahead of her. With Ino and Choji walking quietly beside her, they were doing a better job at hiding their annoyance than their dark-haired teammate.

Letting out a drawn-out sigh, golden eyes were cast upwards, staring at the clouds as they drifted above them lazily. Shikamaru had told her once, that he was envious of the clouds. Mika could kind of understand why.

Konoha was a peaceful town, mostly. Apart from the odd craziness, usually caused either by Naruto or Rock Lee and his overly enthusiastic teacher, the Leaf village was generally a comfortable place to live. With its affordable accommodation, welcoming residents and easily accessible market places, Mika had everything she desired when she had first arrived, almost a whole year ago now.

Just after she last saw Hidan, around two years ago, Mika had fulfilled her vow to return to Tanigakure. Only, it had not been her adoptive father's wrath she had found waiting for her when she arrived, but rather the slightly scary, slightly villainous face of the Sound village's sanin, Orochimaru. Having figured out long ago that Katashi and his wife had been cheating him in their deal, it had caused him no grief to eliminate the last of his deceivers with little care for the children he left behind, orphaned.

Mika's heart had stung for them, but she couldn't say she cared enough to have hung around for them. They were hardly a family, and if they knew about how their mother had been killed, which she assumed they did, there was no way they'd even want her help anyway.

Orochimaru had been waiting for her when she had timidly slunk into the house, using the backdoor as her only method of stealth. Her plan was to try to talk to Katashi calmly before things could get out of hand, but to say she'd been surprised when she was met with piercing yellow irises lined with white and purple would be an understatement. The Sanin had actually had the audacity to applaud her, thanking the girl for assisting him in their elimination.

Of course, Mika had spat something distasteful at the snake, and of course, Orochimaru had her pinned to the wall in seconds. His hostility, however, ended as abruptly as it had come. He had smiled so pleasantly as he decided verbally to allow her to live and walk free as her reward for inadvertently helping him, so pleasantly that Mika had almost reached up to scratch the expression clean off his face. But she knew she'd be in some serious shit if she did, so she held back.

After that, she'd been at a loss for a while. Wandering aimlessly from inn to inn, cleaning tables to pay for food, and drinking until late every evening. It was getting to be incredibly unhealthy, and Mika wasn't a fool. She knew something had to change, and that she needed a purpose in life again. As she'd come to that conclusion, her mind had clouded briefly with thoughts of her Akatsuki acquaintance, wondering absently where he was, and what he'd make of it all.

'Drinking is such a wasteful sin.' He'd probably tut, giving one of her pigtails a little tug.

A smirk crossed the black-haired girl's face as she pictured the image. It was so like him.

Shaking her head to clear those thoughts, she had moved on for several more months, until finally, she re-entered Fire country. Somewhere during this time, word began to spread of the death of the legendary Sanin, Orochimaru. Mika had been suspicious when the rumours first circled the land, but as more and more stories started to surface, she was shocked. And relieved. The name, 'Sasuke Uchiha', seemed to be a common denominator in the mix, someone once affiliated with Konaha.

So, at first, when she had approached the Leaf village, she had debated turning back. There was nothing there for her in particular, but it had been spoken of highly for its hospitable nature and the beautiful scenery, so Mika had been intrigued. In the end, she'd figured she had nothing left to lose, so entered the village anyway.

True to the stories, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, a blonde, busty woman with warm honey-coloured eyes, had welcomed her instantly. In her application for a temporary residential status, Mika had only spared the details of her relations in the village hidden in the valleys. She definitely did not need that information slipping out before she'd even had a chance to get a decent meal. For the most part, though, Mika had been very honest.

A moderately-skilled, self-taught ninja, no village affiliation. Grew up mostly in River Country at The Waterside Orphanage, though well-travelled by way of various foster families. Spent some time in the Hidden Leaf before, aged 8, with the Haruno family. Otherwise unfamiliar with the village. Willing to work to pay my way, willing to follow village restrictions until granted full admittance to all village amenities.

It had been a fairly simple process, Tsunade appearing particularly comforted by the fact that Sakura, who Mika later found out was now Tsunade's top student and medical apprentice, already knew her.

Mika had hoped the pinkette would give her a good reference if questioned. No doubt she'd been an unbearable little shit back then.

Not long after she had moved into her first Konaha apartment, Mika became fast friends with a Hyuga girl, who's family compound wasn't too far away. Hinata was sweet, and timid, and hopelessly in love with the blonde Jinchuuriki she was currently trailing after. Her opinion of Naruto had been subconsciously strengthened, when news of the death of one of Akatsuki's top ninja found her ears. Naruto had been the one to deal the killing blow to the ex-waterfall nin, and although her initial thoughts had been fear for his immortal partner, Mika could not deny that she was glad Kakuzu was dead.

Where Hidan was concerned, she had taken it as no news is good news, since she was pretty sure the death of an immortal being would be quick to rumour the streets of the five great nations. Especially considering he was in their top ten of the bingo books.

She had silently thanked Jashin that she was smart enough to have so far kept her friendship with Hidan quiet.

Following news of Kakuzu's death, came another two Akatsuki fatalities by the name of Deidara, and Itachi, who had apparently also been eliminated by this 'Sasuke Uchiha'. The name Itachi seemed familiar to her, but she didn't care to dwell on it. More interestingly, Mika was starting to wonder who this Sasuke was, and how he was powerful enough not only to defeat Orochimaru, but also two of the highest-ranking rogue ninjas.

And then she wondered how the Akatsuki hoped to achieve their plans of world domination if their manpower was dwindling. Hidan had promised he'd come find her when it began, when they initiated stage three, but at this rate, Mika doubted they'd ever meet again for that purpose.

It was shortly after these ponderings that Mika had decided to hell with the old, and shed her previously consistent twin-tailed hairstyle, in favour of allowing her ebony hair to run free. Although, her fringe had gotten annoying, so now she took a few minutes each morning to braid it into a plait across the top of her forehead.

Ino had been the one to suggest the change in hairstyle, actually. The pair had bonded over their mutual love of music, when Ino had first heard Mika playing a familiar song on a guitar she'd been saving up for during her time in Konoha. And she really was close with Ino. Which is why it was so nerve-wracking when, to her horror, the blonde had brought her to meet her other two squad members, Choji and Shikamaru.

The Nara male had stared at her momentarily, only vaguely questioning if he'd met her somewhere before, but thanks to her past self's dyed red locks, she somehow managed to brush him off. Those first few weeks, however, had her almost on the same level of paranoia as when she'd lived in the lad of Rivers with Nagisa. And yet, after that one mention, Shikamaru appeared to have completely forgotten her familiarity. Again, she thanked Jashin. Hidan would've been so proud – she was starting to sound like him.

It wasn't long into her friendship with Team Asuma, that she found out the reason why Konoha held such a personal vendetta against the evil organisation. Ino had been the only one who could hold it together long enough to tell her about their sensei, and how he had died at the hands of some insane, masochistic psychopath, who had claimed to be unkillable.

Gulping, Mika's eyes had widened in horror as the scene was described. It was hauntingly familiar, and it didn't take her long to realise that it was that day, just over one year ago. The day when she'd left him alone with them, with Shikamaru and one of the twelve guardian shinobi. She remembered vividly how he'd shaken her awake, voice urgent and cloak torn and covered with red. The blood may very well all have been from Hidan, but he apparently had not been the only one to take on such severe damage.

She spent a considerable amount of time with the trio, assisting on basic missions, no higher than a C-rank and joining them at their favourite barbeque restaurants frequently. But the knowledge of how their sensei had died haunted her on a regular basis.

Currently, she had been out on one of those missions, a simple escort mission for a civilian fabrics tradesman from the hidden sand, carrying back with him various materials from a business exchange with the Leaf. Easy target for bandits. Hence the escorts.

Naruto had insisted on accompanying them, having wanted to visit 'his old pal, Gaara'. The redhaired leader of the Hidden sand had not appeared so enthusiastic to see his yellow and orange friend bounding into his office, though. Mika had sniggered at that.

Mika was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed when Naruto and Shikamaru stopped dead only a few feet in front of her. She collided with their backs clumsily, flinching in surprise at the bump, and opening her mouth to scold them for being so careless and stopping without warning, until she followed their frozen stares.

Blocking their path directly ahead of them, stood two cloaked figures, their high collars and bamboo conical hats covering their faces almost entirely. The red clouds on the cloaks screamed out Akatsuki, and even with their concealing attire, it was evident that one was female, and one was male.

'It's the one in orange, right?' The woman spoke first, her voice sounding mature, but there was a superior ring to it that had Mika's fists clenching.

'Yeah, that's the one.' And that voice, was something Mika had been dreading.

'Akatsuki.' Naruto spat. He spared no effort in hiding the venom in his words, which was equally matched when the Nara spoke too, confronting them.

'Show yourselves, so we can tick your names off our bingo books.' There was a surprising amount of emotion in Shikamaru's tone, and had Mika not known of their past experiences with Akatsuki, she would've been unnerved.

'My, my, so confident, so eager to look upon my porcelain face. I like a man who knows what he wants.' The woman sneered. Her hat suddenly flying into the air, long charcoal hair billowing out from under it and cascading down her back. Her eyes are sharp and bright green, peering up at them almost seductively through long black lashes. With a pointed nose and desirably high cheekbones, she was the physical embodiment of all things feminine as she lifted her hand to fan her chest delicately. 'See something you like?'

Naruto let out a snort of disinterest, ignoring her look of positive outrage at his casual dismissal.

'Enough, Hakanai. Let's get this over with.' The male's hat flew from his head in a similar manner, although the reveal of his face had Mika's blood curdling. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Violet eyes widened for a single, split second as he finally noticed her presence, but he masked his recognition expertly, forcing his gaze back to the blonde Jinchuuriki.

'We Akatsuki have orders to take you in, nine-tails. If you come quietly, no one has to get hurt.'

'Naruto, you and Mika take the woman. Ino, Choji and I have some personal business with the other one.' Shikamaru murmured under his breath, then adding. 'But do not, I repeat, do not let them cut you. One drop of blood and it's all over, you got that?'

They nodded, Mika feeling slightly relieved that she wouldn't have to fight against Hidan. That was something they both wanted to avoid, but even as they broke off, the pair exchanged one final glance. Mika's of concern, Hidan's of something unidentified.

'So, you're aware of my zombie-like partner already, I take it.' Hakanai smiled, pleasantly, but the expression soon turned into something more sinister. 'And do you know the reason I was paired with such a being?'

Naruto charged forward before she had a chance to answer her own question, while Mika stood back a little, watching. The woman dodged the first few punches effortlessly, but when Naruto produced a clone to appear from behind her, the woman completely disappeared.

Tensing, Mika stretched out her chakra, feeling about for any trace of her presence. However, exactly one second later, the woman reappeared, behind Naruto's clone. With a swift jab to the back of the neck, the doppelganger dissipated, and the Uzumaki growled.

'What the hell was that?!'

'Well,' the woman began, expression nonchalant as she lifted one hand to examine her orchid painted nails. 'I was planning on giving you a hint, but since you so rudely interrupted a lady like that, I hardly think you're worthy of being called a gentleman, let alone receiving any information.'

Cupping the hand she had been examining to her mouth and leaning forward as though to whisper in his ear, Hakanai's lips puckered.

But, instead of words, she blew out a strange dark purple gas. The foggy substance was murky, but there was something about it that had both Mika and Naruto fascinated. They watched as it swirled around their bodies, shifting and floating gently until it almost surrounded them fully. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Mika realised she could no longer move, but the calming way the gas was lapping softly against her skin made her ignore the thought completely. Relaxing into the sensation, she felt something cold press against the base of her neck, and smooth, whispered words caressed her ears.

'It will all be over soon, Jinchuuriki. But first, I'll relieve you of your friend.'

'What the fuck are you waiting for, kid?!' Hidan's harsh words sliced through the fog like a beam of light, allowing Mika to focus on that small piece of reality just long enough to consciously halt her chakra flow for one second, but it was all she needed to break free of the paralysis.

'I was just about to finish her, you impatient bastard!' Hakanai glowered, then let out a growl, infuriated by the nickname. 'And how dare you refer to me as a child! I am a lady!'

Mika signed her favoured jutsu hand signs, the flames roaring to life as she Hakanai withdrew the black dagger that had been pressing softly against her neck and darted out of the way just in time to avoid being singed. The fire spiral flickered and died out against Mika's skin, and she tried to steady her heart as she hurried to push a jolt of chakra into Naruto's arm, freeing him too.

'Now look what you did!' Hakanai screeched to her partner, but Hidan was no longer paying them any attention. Had he done it for her sake? The phrase could easily have been directed at Hakanai, though she doubted he'd have been encouraging his partner to kill her. Besides, that wouldn't be the first time he'd teased her with that nickname. And he knew the other Leaf ninja would have no reason to tie the phrase to Mika, or to suspect that he might actually try to protect someone that wasn't himself.

Naruto cursed as reality reformed around him, swearing arrogantly not to be caught by her witchcraft again.

'Witchcraft?' She asked, pondering the description. A small, pleased smile crossed her lips. 'Yes. I rather like the sound of that.'

'Why, you!' The Jinchuuriki ran at her again, but like the last time, her body simply vanished before their very eyes.

'I've never seen a jutsu like this before…' Mika muttered, eyes wide and alert, darting around the scenery. There were fighting in an open area of forest, a line of trees either side of them and a half grass, half dirt path below their feet. They had only been about a half a day's walk back to Konoha, when they'd been found by the Akatsuki.

'It's a really old justu,' Ino's voice appeared beside her suddenly, making her jump. 'Sorry,' the blonde smiled quickly, before continuing her explanation. 'It's very rare, so barely anyone knows of its existence. I only know of it because it was briefly mentioned in one of Tsunade's books she gave me to study.'

'But what is it?' Mika pressed, still confused and growing warier by the second.

'It's called the dimension shimmer. The user can temporarily shift their physical presence just one second out of sync with their opponent, allowing them to shimmer one second forward and take their enemy by surprise.'

'But… it's been longer than a second this time!' Naruto protested.

Ino shrugged. 'I guess she's just using it repeatedly. Or maybe this is a more advanced form of the jutsu. She is Akatsuki, after all.'

'NARUTO, BEHIND YOU!' Mika screamed suddenly, eyes meeting Hakanai's cruel emerald ones for a moment, before she shimmered away from their timeline once again as Naruto spun with a kunai aimed at her throat.

'Damn! This diversion shudder is a real pain in the ass…' Naruto growled, frustrated at having missed her again.

Mika decided it wasn't worth correcting the jutsu name, the blonde probably wouldn't hear her anyway. But Naruto was right, if they could just land a few good hits on her, enough to at least slow her down…

Ino's shoulder brushed against hers suddenly, the Yamanaka having shifted closer while Mika watched the Jinchurriki roar with frustration. Ino spoke quietly by her friend's ear, so only she could hear her. 'If I can get inside her head long enough for someone to grab her, we might stand a chance.'

Mika's mouth set in a firm line. She would be the bait, and Naruto would be the distraction. 'When she goes for me, do it then. Don't hesitate, I'll keep her in place.'

Ino threw her a guarded look. It was risky, but it was all they had, so finally, she nodded.

'Alright.'

A/N: Hope you liked... And hope I'm improving on fight scenes... :P

Ps: Hakanai means fleeting. Make of that what you will.

Question of the chapter: Which two body parts never stop growing?

And the riddle: When you want to use me, you throw me away. When you're done using me, you bring me in. What am I?

See you again! :D