Lessons to be learn

Kakashi's mouth watered the moment he left Shiori's room. The boy took his mask off and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma of the breakfast awaiting him wafted down and beckoned him. He couldn't resist the delightful sensations that whipped up inside his memory at the mere thought of delving his teeth deep and fast into Kushina's culinary marvels. That woman could cook, no one could say otherwise.

When he entered the kitchen Kakashi had to halt and made a double take. The amount of food on the table was too much even if all of them shared Shiori's appetite. There was literally everything.

Including Kushina's scream.

The woman grasped her chest trying to calm down her galloping heart. The older Uzumaki was so focused making a pot of tea she didn't hear his steps, although he hadn't been spectacularly quiet.

"Oh my, you scared me, Kakashi-kun. I thought you were…" Kushina stopped talking and went completely red and then laughed stiffly. "No matter, no matter. Sit and help yourself."

Kakashi sat, wisely deciding to leave the woman's odd behavior without a comment. He had had enough traumatic experiences the last few days; he wasn't in need of more - especially when the pocket-sized embodiment of trouble could have been heard from the corridor.

"Stop pulling my hair!"

"Sorry, Shi-chan, but your braids are the only thing I can easily hold. You're too short."

"Too short? I'll let you know my height is perfectly normal for someone my age. It's not my fault those creeps fed you with Chernobyl waste."

"With what?"

"It's sort of a mutagen. Boys your age can often display a growth spurt but no way that your hair could grow so much just in few months." Shiori explained, grumpily marching into the room with Obito trotting two steps behind her, holding her red braids like some reins. "I won't be surprised if you end up strong, stupid and green."

The blind boy frowned.

"Why green? I prefer orange."

Shiori face-palmed.

"I give up. Why am I even trying?"

"Because I'm your favorite nii-san." Obito answered cheekily.

"I'll walk you into a wall." Promised the girl and for the first time noticed all the food. "What's that?"

"It's breakfast, what else?" Kushina hurried on, while her face gained the color of bad sunburn and under her famous ginger hair it had the effect of making her head look like it was on fire.

"You made dango for breakfast?" Shiori couldn't become more deadpanned.

"Yeah, dattebane, I wanted to celebrate our boy's return to health; you have a problem with that?"

The reborn woman sat down at the table and dubiously glanced at the mountain of the delicacies. She had a mild hangover and not so mild lack of tolerance to any kind of bullshit.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I wanna have my cereals."

"I made tons of sweets. Even your favorite. And you want your ordinary cereals?" Kushina's eyelid began to tremble in uncontrolled spasms. "You don't even like them, dattebane!"

"They're healthy and good for my tummy. I eat them every morning when I'm with Orochimaru-sama. So summarizing: I don't care about your bribe, I wanna my cereals."

Obito carefully sat down next to his teammate, who judging by the sounds didn't stop eating for a moment. All those delightful smells attacking Uchiha's nostrils made his head spin. But he didn't want to put his hands right into some food and look helpless so he talked to the other boy.

"Is she still fascinated with that man?" He whispered.

"Yhmm," Kakashi confirmed, chewing a piece of tofu. "I believe now it's even worse. It's more like worshiping than anything else."

"You two are aware I'm able to hear you, right?" Despite her previous protests Shiori put a large portion of natto on her plate.

"C'mon, Shi-chan. Even you have to admit you two are an odd pair. Where you're devious but cute, Orochimaru-sama is just creepy." Obito didn't need his eyes to know he had just said something what should remain unsaid. He gulped feeling the girl's evil intent.

"Orochimaru-sama isn't creepy. He's misunderstood but cool." Shiori's growl promised the infinite world of pain to anyone who dared to disagree.

"Yeap, yeap, of course," Obito laughed embarrassed ruffling his hair. He wisely decided to change the subject. "Did you say something about bribe?"

"She said nothing!" The older Uzumaki's reaction clearly showed that Shiori's comment was more than accurate.

"Last night I nabbed them in a R-rated situation."

"R-rated?" Both boys were confused, for what Kushina couldn't be more grateful. She gagged Shiori with a dango stick and sternly glared at the teenagers. "It doesn't matter, understood?"

"Yes, Kushina-san!" They responded in unison, practically saluting.

"Great, so what are your plans for today?"

"I'm feeling pretty well so I probably should report to Minato-sensei," said Kakashi, questioningly glancing at the other boy. "If Obit…?"

"Sure, go." Encouraged Uchiha, not liking how everyone had to include him in their plans. He wasn't a charity case. "I'll be great on my own."

"Maybe you should visit your grandma?" Kushina suggested. "I'm busy today but I'm sure Shrimp-chan and Itachi-kun will take you."

"I'll take him alone. I don't need an escort, especially from him." Shiori mumbled irritably, violently unloading her frustrations on her food.

Every head in the room turned to her.

"Are you two arguing?" Kushina couldn't believe it. Itachi's unconditional adoration for her little cousin was unwavering. There was no way he would intentionally upset her.

"Arguing? No, of course not; he is just stupid. Stupid, stupid stupid…" Thanks to Shiori's muttering and her vicious assault on the food, no one questioned the girl further. They all knew that all irritated spawns of Satan were better left in peace, especially if they were miniature and cute like a button.

Ω

Konoha's park was full of bushes; but none of them should be sneezing. However Shisui had to give it to his little clansman, Itachi was quite good at tailing him, better than many adults would have been. However, he still had many things to learn; for example how to not sneeze in the middle of a pursuit.

"May I help you, Tachi-chan?"

The smaller Uchiha emerged from the bush with a quiet hello. Shisui assessed him carefully. Itachi always was rather enigmatic and hard to read but right now the boy seemed to be even more withdrawn than usually. He was troubled and there was only one thing capable to upset the young heir.

"Aren't you a little too young for a woman trouble? Most of us have them only when we start attending academy. Then the hell starts."

Itachi uncomfortably looked away.

"Is it so obvious?" he asked.

"Well…" Shisui parked himself at the nearby bench and patted the free seat next to him. Itachi sat down obediently only to delve deeper into his apathy. Now, Shisui was curious. "You and Shiori-san are practically joined by the hip. She isn't here and you're down ridden so obviously you've done something wrong. And don't even try to deny it. First lesson, Tachi-chan – with women everything always is your fault. You have to learn to live with that."

Itachi solemnly nodded. His father once said something similar when his mom had her silent days. Shisui truly was a wise man.

"So what have you done?"

"I… I do not know? Everything was alright. Senpai even hugged me." The boy's face fell as if someone just kicked his dog. "And the she started to yell, shake and threaten me with a restraining order. What's a restraining order?"

Shisui thought a few seconds but then just shrugged.

"I have no idea. But what were you doing before she hugged you?"

"I jumped."

"From where?" inquired the older boy.

"From Hokage's mountain," Itachi answered respectfully despite not seeing any sense in this line of questions. Apparently his cousin did because he just smirked knowingly and patted Itachi's head.

"Tachi-chan, how would you describe Shiori-san's thinking process?"

"Senpai is really smart and eccentric." The answer came without hesitation. "She is a genius."

"Yeah, but she's different genius than you or me; right?"

Itachi blinked owlishly.

"We both are prodigy ninjas while senpai is a sealing expert."

"Listen, sealing may be one of shinobi arts but Uzumaki-san isn't kunoichi."

"She never treated me like a ninja." Itachi's eyes shone with understanding. "For her I have always been just a…"

"Kid?" Shisui was glad his little friend finally understood. "For Shiori you're a child, her friend. And no civilian kid would jump in an abyss. She believed you are going to die."

"She was worried."

"And thought you're a complete moron. She probably still thinks so."

Itachi snapped inside, shattered like brittle glass and felt the shards tearing at his guts. He couldn't speak until the last drop of blood left his face.

"I have hurt her. I need to apologize. How do I apologize? It must be awful; father hates doing it."

Shisui chewed his lip and looked at slowly mowing white clouds. Why couldn't life be so light and fluffy?

"For sure it isn't easy, especially since we're talking about Uzumaki-san… Ok, firstly what do we know about her? What does she like?"

"Food, fuinjutsu and Orochimaru-sama," listed Itachi. "I do not think even dango will help me now. She was really upset."

"Sealing is also out of picture. None of us know enough to impress her and I don't think Namikaze-sama or Orochimaru-sama would be pleased if they knew you troubled her. They won't help. Well, I guess there always is Kushina-san." They both imagined the older extremely spirited redhead and shuddered. "But maybe Kushina-san is too… you know."

"I know." Itachi frowned. "And if I kidnap Orochimaru-sama senpai will only get angrier."

Shisui doubted both of them would be able to ever snatch the Sannin. But if Itachi - always sensible and level-headed Itachi - wanted to kidnap legendary snake summoner then the kid cared for the odd girl far deeper than he thought. Shisui reassuringly clapped Itachi's back.

"In that case we need more intel before we start planning. We need to observe her for a while."

"I suppose." Itachi's mouth formed a perfect o when he realized something. "Wait, Shisui-san. Are you going to help me?"

"Of course, that's what friends are for, right?" At Shisui's question a small but happy smile slowly bloomed on Itachi's face.

"Right."

"Great." The older boy wrapped his arms around his cousin. "You know what else friends are for?"

"Not really," Itachi admitted sheepishly.

"For shearing their experiences, so…" Shisui bent toward the smaller brunet. "How was it?"

Itachi blinked questioningly.

"How was what?"

"Hugging a girl. What else?"

Itachi hadn't meant to do it, but he couldn't stop the look of mild shock on his face or his cheeks flushing pink. He didn't want to speak about it with anyone, even Shisui. He just hoped the older boy's help and advices where worth of all those weird and uncomfortable feelings stirring inside him.

"It was nice, I guess?"

"You guess? Shiori-san is right. You are a moron."

Apparently Itachi had yet many things to learn about friendship and women.

Ω

The reborn woman wasn't good with feelings, any feelings if she had to be sincere. It was even worse when they weren't her feelings but other people's. Witnessing too emotional and tearful moments wasn't only making her itchy. Then her level of cynicism increased at least three times, making the woman badmouth even Mufasa's last minutes in her favorite Disney movie (she still couldn't understand, how on Earth, Scar knew where exactly he had to wait for his brother. It was a whole freaking canyon for goodness sake).

That's why after taking Obito to his grandma in the hospital she waited in the corridor with Pakkun and Bull. Kushina refused to send her and the blind Uchiha alone so Kakashi offered some of his ninkens as a reassurance. Now, Shiori had quite good relation with the pack; even with the gigantic mastiff – as long as the dog held its tongue to itself.

Currently, the girl and her two four-legged guardians were walking with Obito in one of Konoha's biggest parks. For Shiori it resembled a wild forest far more than any urban greenery she had ever seen. After visiting his granny Obito seemed sadder and happier at the same time. The redhead very carefully didn't get anywhere near subject of their reunion. She was agitated enough without it.

Why, the hell, it was she who had to serve as a guide dog when they had two actual mutts in their midst? If it was to last longer, Obito was going to pull out all her hair before dinner! Her poor braids!

But getting her bald apparently wasn't enough.

"Soooo, Shi-chan…"

"No" she interrupted him before the teenager had chance to finish.

"No what?"

"No to whatever you wanted to ask," groaned the girl, trying to stop the overwhelming desire to walk him straight into a tree.

"Oh someone is grumpy today. You still have a hangover?"

Shiori imagined twisting Obito's nuts until he relapsed to being a whimpering child. How dared he to remind her about her moment of weakness?

"Shut up."

"Why? You're quiet a singer." Obito snickered. Until his face met a tree. "Ouch."

To Shiori's dismay Obito was one of those dunderheads that were unable to learn, ever. He hadn't stopped asking her about her bad humor and absence of two peculiar Uchihas Kakashi told him about. Even threatening him with Bull's slobber did nothing.

The group stopped at the small bridge over a river. Obito leaned against the railing and listened to the sound of running water. Then he heard something else. Someone was observing them.

"Hey, Pakkun."

"It's Shiori's pack." The pug barked.

"Her pack?" He glanced in the direction where the girl stood on the other end of the bridge and stubbornly wasn't paying attention to any of them.

"Two Uchiha pups; she's their alpha."

Obito wanted to snicker but he didn't. Something here wasn't right. What he overheard didn't sound like two kids. The footsteps he heard where too heavy and the breathing too deep. Someone else was tailing them. Was it Madara or one of his monsters? No, it wasn't possible. Maybe Minato sensei had given them some Anbu escort? Yes, it had to be it.

As it turned out it wasn't the case.

Ω

The last few days Itachi felt sad for Obito. His older cousin suffered a lot the past few months. He was severely wounded, lost his teammate and his precious eyes. It had to be heart wrenching. However now, the young heir felt only irritation toward the older boy.

"Stop it or they will sense your chakra." Shisui whispered. "I believe those ninkens already know we're here. Imagine what Shiori-san will do if she finds out we're following her."

Itachi gulped seeing in his mind Shiori's angry face and shaking fist. It was better to calm himself.

"I just do not like how he is making fun of her. Senpai deserves respect."

"They're friends. Friends make fun of each other. That's why I call you Tachi-chan and ruffle your hair." The older boy explained. "Now she's irritated at Obito-san; before she was sad. That's better, no?"

Itachi had to agree. How was it that Shisui always knew what to say? He was really good with people. The younger boy wished he could be like that too.

In the next fraction of a second Itachi forgot all his wishes and insecurities. A dark shape jumped out of the water and caught Shiori. It was over instantly. One minute the girl was there looking at her nails, leaning against the railing and then she was gone. They barely saw a thing. No-one expected any danger in the middle of the Village. They didn't even hear her muffled screams but in no way they did nothing afterwards.

"Pakkun, run to sensei and Kakashi!" Obito ordered as he followed already running Bull. In seconds he was joined by two pairs of short steps. "Have you seen who took her?"

"He had a dark cloak and an Anbu mask." Shisui responded.

It was good they had a tracker nin-dog since they soon lost sight of the kidnapper.

Meanwhile, the reborn woman was biting a hand that gagged her mouth with all her might. She was freaked out but above all else she was fucking furious. She managed to get back Obito, socialize Orochimaru and befriend many future S-rank ninjas only to be kidnapped? Hell no!

Despite her efforts her captor didn't react. He was quickly gaining speed, overcoming considerable distance with each leap. Not only was he apparently very strong but also hailed from Konoha. In Shiori's mind no one else could jump like a fucking squirrel on overdue crack. Summing; she was kidnapped by one of Danzo's minions. And that made her even angrier.

If she couldn't bit him, then maybe different approach could succeed? She kicked backward as hard as she could hoping to strike something vital. Lady Luck for once was on her side. Although she didn't hit anything vital, her kick reached something none the less painful.

The cloaked man clutched his family jewels, letting go of his cargo, which figured out that attacking someone who carried her, while being twenty six foot over the ground, wasn't her best idea. With a scream and pile of vomit rising in her throat, the girl hit a branch and then second and third one; on which she hung upside down.

The man's large hand nearly got her again but a barrage of shurikens prevented it.

The kidnapper cursed. Snatching small children was simple. Just pick up and go, or at least that's what his superior promised him. This girl was tiny too, like a little doll. When his hand clasped over her mouth she opened up and bit him hard. Later as they left the ground she kicked him. How he wanted to repay her, preferably double, but orders were orders. Shame they didn't mention other brats. Well, now he had to remove the obstacle.

The curly haired kid attacked him with surprising speed and force. He was good. The boy charged with a flying kick straight to the adult's face only to twist and elbow him in the sternum, sending him into nearby tree. Or so it looked like until the masked man changed into smoke.

Shiori didn't see any of it; just like she missed when her captor reappeared and kicked Shisui's stomach only to also meet nothing more than a cloud of smoke. Her full attention was focused on her bleeding nose and Itachi who grabbed her and started to run.

Masked man cursed once more. He wanted to spare those brats but when one of them took his target his generosity ran out. He spat a large surge of water flooding the woodland. The sudden ninjutsu and lack of defense sent the kids reeling across the forest floor, crashing onto their backs half-away across the clearing.

Itachi slowly sat back up before he rose to his feet still holding the trembling girl in his arms. Before him appeared Shisui with blazing red eyes. It wasn't time for games. Their opponent crouched on the upper branch, unfazed by the previous attacks.

"He will not let me take her away from here." Itachi muttered frustrated.

"He won't." Shisui agreed.

Both boys evaded as the kidnapper charged and swung out a thick-fisted punch. Shisui instantly counterattacked with a kunai. With activated sharingan not only was he able to see his opponent movement but also seemed to be in three places at once. And yet it still wasn't enough. The older shinobi repeatedly slashed him. The wounds weren't deep but it was quickly becoming clear the boy had lost whatever surprise advantage he held. Each time Shisui was knocked down; he rose back up again to continue now one-sided fight.

Shiori couldn't look at it. She buried her head in Itachi's shirt and bit her lips. The boy holding her was also shaking. Itachi's brain was struggling to comprehend the situation; that this wasn't one of his father's training scenarios, that it was real. He couldn't formulate a thought, at least not one based in any language. If he wouldn't do something soon his body was going to tear itself apart. When he let go of Shiori and how the ground between him and Shisui was erased, he would never recall, but one moment they were apart and the next Itachi's own kunai was connecting with the man's back. Everything seemed clearer as if the world slowed down. He saw everything.

Sadly his body wasn't fast enough to keep up.

If not for Shisui Itachi would lose his head. The shorter boy was pushed backward to made place for black flames coming to engulf their enemy. Itachi had never seen anything like it. What technique was it?

Meanwhile Shisui fell to one knee. Amaterasu took most of his chakra but he hoped it was worth it. Black flames grew, consuming… the boy couldn't believe it! It was a branch; big, old branch. The masked ninja used substitution jutsu!

"Let me go, you jackass!" Shiori's screams left no doubt where the masked man went.

Shisui completely fell on the ground seeing the girl snatched once again. His despair was like concrete in his veins. He hung his head and furiously banged his fist into the ground. There was no hope anymore.

Itachi thought otherwise. When his life felt like a cage Shiori unlocked it with words. She opened a door he didn't know was there. She took out the pain and loneliness making it bearable by seeing the person he truly was. No matter what, she stood firm, not always kind but reassuring. And for that reason alone he couldn't give up.

In despair he threw shurikens and kunais forcing the man to dodge. Although what seemed to be anguish turned out to be a well thought strategy. The weapons were attached to ninja wire, making possible to change their trajectory. They wrapped around kidnapper's legs at the same time when something gigantic shoot from the bushes. The mastiff's teeth bit in the man's shoulder immobilizing him further and lessening his hold on Shiori.

Two young Uchihas took the chance and leaped to snatch their friend from enemy's clutches. The moment they had her someone else's fingers gripped the man's cloak. Obito's white arm took powerful swing and connected with the masked face sending the kidnapper flying far into the forest.

All kids and the dog gathered together, watching for the returning enemy.

"Shi-chan, are you ok?" Obito asked making the girl even angrier. She didn't like pain, physical exercise, stupid questions or being kidnapped, and she experienced it all in the last five minutes.

"Yeah, I'm fucking great." She hissed venomously. "Could you two put me down? Thanks."

When her foot touched the ground the reborn woman crouched and started to write something on it with her bloodied hands.

"Senpai?" Itachi was worried. Was she in shock?

"It's the most basic and unpolished draft but it should do." Mumbled the tiny redhead just before bluish bubble of chakra surrounded them.

"Barrier," Obito sighed and worn-out slumped on the grass next to Shiori. "You wanna hug?"

The girl silently climbed onto his laps and nestled into his arms.

Itachi, Shisui and Bull encircled them, looking for the upcoming attack but the only thing that came (or rather materialized from nowhere) was Minato.

"Shiori-chan!"

The kids sighed with relief, all beside the girl. Her golden pools glimmered with distrust. How could she know the blond wasn't some imposter?

"In what position I caught you last night?"

"WHAT?!" Minato's pale face became crimson. He understood his little girl as usually was being smart but why she had to ask him about THAT to be sure it was truly him? "I, I was… kneeling?"

Apparently it was the right answer because the next second the barrier was down he had hands full of trembling, crying tiny body. He swore to himself that whoever hurt her was going to pay. No one touched his daughter and lived to tell the tale – he would teach them that.

Ω

Shiori was traumatized. But more than anything she was becoming pissed. No long after Minato also Pakkun, Kakashi and Kushina rushed into the clearing, unleashing madness compared to which even world war two looked puny and insignificant.

The girl had been taken home, washed, dressed in her pajama, given her Orochi-cchi and fed; all that without leaving Kushina'a arms. She managed to get free only thanks to a crisis meeting Minato set in their kitchen. Now, instead of her cousin safe hold Shiori was surrounded by three Uchiha youngsters, one teenage jonin and his whole pack of mutts. How they all fit in her room the girl had no idea.

Itachi not ever for once left her side; holding her hand whenever it was possible. Pakkun behaved in the same way, constantly being under her feet (literally); at least he didn't lick them. Kakashi limited himself to sitting at the windowsill and glaring at the bad world outside. Obito and Shisui whispered something to each other and every now and the glanced at her with worry. All their concern was nice but the reborn woman couldn't appreciate it at the moment. She was too scared. All she wanted was to stop thinking about her abduction and forget everything she knew about Danzo's organization. She knew she'd shown too much knowledge, too much everything. She'd felt so secure with Minato and Orochimaru, she underestimated both Danzo's drive and capabilities. The reborn soul knew she needed to make a new plan, to disappear from the Root's radar but for now all she wanted was to forget.

And how could she do it with all those idiots?!

"For the fuck sake!" Shiori's sudden outburst gathered everyone attention.

"Senpai?"

"I've enough of it!"

"Shi-chan, easy there." Obito slowly walked in her direction and hugged her. "Everything's going to be alright."

"The heck it will. Life isn't a fairy tale. If you lose your shoe at midnight, you aren't fucking Cinderella, you're drunk. But I don't care! I want to play!" And with loud hmph she crossed her arms and in anticipation looked at the others.

"You want to play?" Kakashi couldn't believe it. "With us?"

"Yup. I'm a kid, you're kids, kids play. Ergo – we shall play. "

All the boys hesitantly glanced at each other but no one said a word only increasing Shiori's wrath.

"Oh c'mon, you have to know how to play, right?" The girl's temper subsided seeing that only Obito raised his hand.

"Me, me, I know how to play!" He stopped waving. "Shi-chan, don't tell me I'm the only one with yes as an answer."

"So it seems." Those golden pools sparkled promising trouble. The boys gulped. "You poor sods just wait – I'll show you how to be bunch of normal kids."

Somehow it sounded far scarier than any of her previous threats. Obito saluted.

"Your assistant awaits orders, Shi-chan."

"Hatake-san, bring me curtains and chairs from the living-room. Shisui-san and Tachi-chan, you're in charge of nourishments. Doggies, fetch every pillow and blanket you can find and Obi-nii… think what we can actually do what will be fun and won't make Hatake'san want to throttle you. Now, to work my precious padawans*, we have a sleepover to prepare!"

She met only blank stares.

"Senpai, what's a padawan?"

Itachi's question made her gasp. The reborn woman was speechless. They didn't know about padawans, jedi or the Force! Itachi with those beautiful, innocent coal-like eyes; Obito, sweet good-natured Obito; they were depraved from one of the greatest story in multiverse! She had to repair it.

"You truly are bunch of poor sods but speak no more. I'll illuminate you with mysteries of the Force. I just need a flashlight."

An hour later Shiori's room looked as if was an atrium of war but with the lights off and the approaching darkness it could've been barely seen. From books and scrolls were created barricades. Between bed and chairs Kushina's beloved curtains were spread like a roof under which one reborn, not very nice soul, four boys and a pack of ninkens were sprawled on countless cushions and blankets.

With a click single beam of light illuminated Shiori's face.

"Now hear me. Believe me; you're going to love it." She cleared her throat. "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…"

Ω

At the same time, in the same galaxy and not so far away one masked man limped into a secret laboratory. This place always unnerved him. All those tubes and creatures locked in them – it was unnatural. But his captain expected the report - even if the mission failed.

It should have been easy; simple snatching a child from the forest, the same routine as many times before. But from the beginning he knew there was something off. This child's memo was vague at beast, not the usual trough background check. Nothing about family or known associates. Not to mention it was his first such mission carried in daylight. Maybe the target was in middle of a forest but probability of being caught was higher than normally. Not to mention presence of those other brats. Those kids weren't normal.

The ninja knocked to his superior's private office. Given the premonition to enter he bowed immediately after walking in.

"Agent Zen; mission report number 33CH59F. Mission status: failed. Since 4a.m. the target was under constant surveillance…"

"Cut it short, Zen-san."

"Resistance was encountered; two ninkens and three… children with more than average skills. They were…"

"A Root operative was bested by few children and weak summons. Danzo-sama won't be happy."

Zen clenched his teeth. He knew that the man was his commander and that a failure in the Organization was unacceptable but it was unfair.

"Intel was incomplete. From the beginning chance of success was…" He stopped speaking. He couldn't breathe, his legs trembled and the whole world around him started to spin just like his thoughts. They were unreal. He even imagined a small, white snake slipping from his sandal.

"You don't need to worry. The mission is complete." The tall man sang as Zen stared silently glaring at his captain from the ground. "But I guess now it doesn't matter. Not for you."

He paused, giving the masked man a knowing look. The Root agent exhaled through the nose in frustration. He had been stared at silently, as if the standing man debated whether to kill him or do something worse. Zen nodded to himself, already knowing his fate. It was the last thing he did.

Orochimaru stepped over the body and walked into the laboratory as if nothing happened. Some could think that face of someone that just murdered his comrade with cold blood should look sinister and be accompanied by similarly sinister laugh. However the Sannin's expression was stern with a pinch of melancholy as any other day. It was the same long-boned face, narrowing to a pointed chin; the same widely spaced, yellow eyes, and the same steady but slightly ironic gaze.

Orochimaru maybe looked the same but inside he was smiling, honestly smiling. Maybe now he would be able to sleep soundly because after Shiori's last remark he was more than a little shaken. She'd become sloppy; mentioning the Organization right and left with no care at all. Maybe now she would be more careful. In the end fear was the best teacher.

OMAKE

few hours later; Namikaze household

Kidnapping of Uzumaki girl was kept in secret. Not many people in the Village knew about it. Those who knew, often panicked caring about the odd redhead and her friends. Now, Fugaku wife furiously whispered with Kushina, probably planning imminent and probably terrible demise of the abductor. The Uchiha clan head, his brother and few other most trusted Uchiha policemen investigated the case, but Fugaku (however never would tell it openly) mostly worried about the mental state of the children.

Finding them listening to Shiori's tale with eyes full of wonder eased his mind. He'd never before seen his son so childlike and free. He knew the attempted abduction shook him more than the battle he witnessed. But now Itachi was happy. They all were. Obito begged Shiori for another story making everyone else aid him in more and more amusing efforts to convince the girl.

And then the two women entered the room.

Five minutes later Fugaku, Minato and the boys sat silently, looking at the door and listening to Obito cries coming from the bathroom. After cuddling Shiori Mikoto noticed Obito. She also hugged him and then her gaze cruised his face stopping at his hair. She took out a kunai. Then the hell broke.

"Maybe we should trim his fringe first?"

"Leave it, Kushina. I will do it later, although those bangs suit him quite nicely."

"We should ask Orochimaru-sama. He's true hair-expert."

"Hmm, maybe Shrimp-chan is right? He for sure has nice hair." Kushina's musing was followed by more Obito's cries of anguish.

Itachi whimpered and forgetting about looking brave grabbed his father's hand.

"Women are scary."

"Indeed."

* Padawan- Jedi apprentice in Star Wars universe.

Hello again my lovely readers; at the beginning I just want to thank you for all those favs – more than 500 OMG – I've never thought I'll reach it. For me writing FPC is nothing more than pure fun and I'm truly excited so many of you like it ^^

OK, my fabulous beta has just sent back the chapter to me, now it's posted and I can go back to carving pumpkins and baking my outstanding pumpkin cupcakes and apple-pie (yeah I know, I'm very humble person :3). Happy Halloween, All Saint's Day or any other holiday you have. To the next time!