Sesoni stood in the threshold of the door. He didn't want to get involved in this messy situation because it wasn't smart to. As a demon, he had grown less emotional and more logical. But, he still had a soft spot for those in love. He had been there once and knew its power over a person's actions. It was actually quite intriguing that something as basic as love meant so much in a person's life to the point where it could change a reaction, even something as basic as a "no" from the Hokage on a request.

It was then that Sesoni realized he was doing this out of love. It was not a romantic love, but a love for someone close to him. There were only a few people he actually cared about. Akaya was one of the people he held in high regards, and Tajek happened to be another.

Akaya was one of the only people he had met that didn't judge him as a cold-hearted creature. Demons had emotions; however, unlike many humans, they knew how to withhold them or use them in a productive manner.

Sesoni shut the door behind him as he approached the Hokage's desk. "The girl is right, you know." He briefly paused to make sure he could word his next sentences right. "Now, I'm not saying she approached the situation in the right manner, but she has a point. This village will lose faith in you if he shows up dead and maybe even if he arrives alive."

As he kept defending Akaya's opinion, he realized that she never could have approached her request any differently. She was naturally feisty and passionate about what she wanted or what she believed in, and Akaya seemed to always get what she wanted. Sesoni smirked. He figured that it didn't hurt that she had a demon on her side.

The Hokage sighed and looked out the window. The sun brightly shined outside, which only showed off the blue sky more. Too bad it didn't fit this conversation at all. "I understand that she has a point, Sesoni, but my hands are tied. How am I supposed to protect this village if all of my best ninjas are on a wild goose hunt? I'm not willing to take that chance, and you should know more than anybody that sacrifices sometimes are needed in order to provide for the greater good."

There was a creak from an open window. "That's a little belittling of you don't you think, Hokage? Bringing up an unrelated topic to get Sesoni rattled? What a pitiful attempt I might add."

In the corner of the office closest to Sesoni stood Shin Ryu. He walked forward to be side by side with Sesoni. Shin and Sesoni had become friends ever since they were placed in the Bingo Books years ago, and seeing that they both were demons and seemingly immortal, it only made sense to befriend each other. Shin Ryu made another person that Sesoni cared about.

Shin shook his head. "I really don't think you are looking at the big picture here. Tajek has the potential to be one of the greats. He's just like his father except with less motivation, correct?"

The Hokage simply nodded. He knew his nephew all too well to argue against Shin. "What is your point then, Shin? Because this really doesn't help your case."

Sesoni and Shin were pretty much intellectually equal, and they both knew where this conversation was headed. Sesoni almost cracked a smile as Shin continued.

"That is," Shin slammed his hand down on the Hokage's desk to make sure that he was paying attention. "until she came along." Shin sat in the chair across from the Hokage, which was separated only by the desk. "Akaya pretty much changed his entire attitude around. He is just a genin now, but I guarantee you that since she has moved up in rank, that he would have followed. We need him back. And, so if an entire squadron can't look for him, allow just one of your ninja to leave."

The Hokage leaned forward to put his forearms down on the desk. "Which person do you suppose I let in the search party? I'll compromise. Anyone you want."

He was cocky now. He had saved himself from releasing any entire search party, and now, only one would have to leave his forces.

Sesoni spoke up quickly. "Well, isn't it obvious? Akaya will be needed, of course. And to protect her from any major harms, and seeing that Shin has Kage business to attend to, I, myself, will need to be with her."

Shin nodded his head in agreement. "There's a good compromise, don't you think? I mean, you won't need a chunnin as much as some of your elites."

It was a trap, and the Hokage fell right into it. He sighed, "Fine but you are responsible for her. If anything happens, it is entirely your fault." He didn't dare say no to the demons that everyone knew had a temper. Even scarier, their tempers were controlled. "And you'll be telling her the news."

Shin stood up and turned towards Sesoni. "Exactly, you'll be telling her."

He continued toward the doors and disappeared soon after.

Sesoni displayed a brief smile. "Well thank you, Hokage. I suppose I will leave now."

He turned and started toward the doors. When he was about to exit, the Hokage spoke calmly. "Make sure she is okay when you get back. He'd kill me if she gets hurt."

"Do not worry. She has a demon with her, and another looking out for her."

He slipped through the doors and headed to the place Akaya was at the most: her house.