For clarification: 'x' thoughts "x" dialogue "x" Inner Sakura

italics for any extended time either a recap, memory, or dream.

Also, this is all after the time-skip… sorry I forgot to mention that…

Warning: violence in the beginning.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Sasuke-kun." I opened my eyes, slowly.

There she stood, Haruno Sakura. She was smiling, eyes creased, head tilted to the side, hair in a ponytail, headband gone. We were in a field of wildflowers that were swaying back and forth in the breeze… I couldn't smell them. The sunlight was too bright, harsh even, and it seemed to come from everywhere at once. As a result, everything was haloed in the white light, and slightly washed out.

"Why are you here Sakura?" 'And why are we dressed for a festival?' It was true; Sakura was in a red and white kimono, a crystal and rose quartz bracelet on her wrist, and nothing on her feet. Looking down, I could see I was in a navy yukata, with a lighter blue jacket. I also had no shoes on, and a crystal quartz and garnet bracelet on, shiny beads reflecting the unrelenting sunlight.

A giggle, "See?" She holds out a pale wrist, her bracelet's bead's shining as well, "We match Sasuke-kun! Come." She turns and begins walking away, more and more of her being engulfed by the light.

I stood, "Why are you here?"

She stopped, turned, eyes open and mouth in a pout, "You're always so serious Sasuke-kun…" She tutted. Then, her voice dropped, trying to sound like Iruka-sensei, mocking me, "But that's how a good shinobi should be. A serious hatred-filled lapdog, ne Sasuke-kun?"

I felt my face and voice contort with anger, "I'm no one's lapdog," And then, just because I knew it would hurt her, "You can't even answer a question… you're annoying."

The last two words seemed to echo around us, getting louder and intensifying until I felt my head would explode, my ears were on fire. Sakura however seemed unaffected, head tilted to one side, trying to see what was wrong with me, "You're Itachi-kun's – " All the surrounding noise ceased… 'Itachi-kun???' the honorific made me want to puke, but she continued on, not even noticing, " – lapdog Saksuke-kun. He controls your life." I grimaced, Sharingan activating.

" – And the best part Sa-su-ke-kun," She pronounced my name slowly, mockingly, "Is that you let him do it."

I snarled, pulling out a kunai and appearing behind her placing the knife at her neck.

Apple-green eyes widen and she gasps, "You would kill me Sasuke-kun?" Her voice was trembling.

Reveling in my dominance and her fear, I smirked, leaning in. I let my lips press a small trail of kisses up her neck and nipped at her earlobe, smirk growing wider with every shudder. I whisper one word into her ear, preparing to bask in her despair, "Yes."

Suddenly her face was void of emotion, she looked for all the world like a porcelain doll. "Good," her voice was cold, monotone in an almost childish pitch. I felt my brow knit together in confusion, and she finished, "Because I'd kill you too."

Only then did I notice the katana she was holding, the katana that was hilt-deep inside of me. I could feel the fiery pain spreading outward from my stomach, my knees buckling as I lost feeling in them due to my severed spine.

She turned, face cheerful again, to look down at me, now holding my kunai, "I don't need you anymore Sasuke," the loss of the honorific wasn't lost on me, "I've replaced you,"

'With who? Who could compete with me?'

"You're a good shinobi Sasuke-kun," the honorific was back, but now just as a mockery, I could hear it in her voice, "…But you're a useless and disgusting person." Her smile widened, pretty white teeth nearly blinding me in the intense sunlight.

'Useless? She sounds so much like Itachi…' I coughed up blood, metallic taste filling my mouth, blocking out anything else for a while, I felt like I had been sucking on copper for the past week.

I could feel my Sharingan fade. Could she see herself in my onyx eyes? Was she as repulsed as I was of her? This disgusting mockery of the Sakura-chan I knew? The clinging girl desperate for any attention I could manage to throw her way? Wait… was this who she really was? She chose the mission over me last time… who is Sakura Haruno now, do I know, did I make her like this

The world churned around me, and I felt sick, bile joining the metallic taste on my tongue. Suddenly I could see her in my eyes, I was inside her. There was revulsion there, more than I felt I could comprehend, but it wasn't for herself, it was for me.

I felt our right hand rise, saw the kunai glint in my eyes, at the same time I could see all of her from my body as well, blood loss and exaggerated sunlight blending her red and white kimono to pink… pink like her hair… it was still short. She used to keep it long for me… did I not mean anything to her anymore? I felt/saw her lean forward, I spoke/heard her voice say cheerfully, "You're worse than trash Sasuke –"

"Those who abandon their teammates are worse than trash." Kakashi-sensei's voice echoed through the white space around us. I was beginning to feel violently sick from the experience of seeing her and myself, from both of our points of view. I started to feel panicked, I felt like how mirror's set across from each other look, reflecting each other endlessly and eternally.

I was Uchiha Sasuke, no, I was Haruno Sakura, I was both of us, but I was really me, I had made Sakura like this, I was us, and I was disgusted at the prone figure on the ground, paralyzed from the waist down. I had lost myself, but found myself at the same time, and I was nauseated by what I saw.

"—You're worse than your brother."

Then I saw and felt with both our bodies as her/my kunai slashed down, slicing my throat. The world churned again, she had purged herself of me, she didn't want me within her, I was too repulsive. I was back inside of only me now, and the last thing I saw was her smiling face, splattered with my blood, before the light took her away, and darkness abruptly followed.

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, Sharingan blazing. His chest was rising and falling rapidly and his breath was jagged, tearing it's way out, then clawing its way back into his mouth and throat.

"Bad dream?" Suigetsu casually inquired from a few feet away, leaning up against a tree, arms crossed.

"Are you all right Sasuke-kun?" Karin asked, all concern.

Memories of Sakura mocking him, "Sa-su-ke-kun…" made him want to be sick right then and there. "Don't call me that!" He snapped, harsher than he had intended, but he wasn't going to apologize, "We're going to Konoha."

"Why?" Juugo asks, standing up.

"My brother's –" "You're Itachi-kun's lapdog…" Sasuke shook his head, biting his tongue, hoping the pain would snap him out of it. He bit too hard though, and he tasted copper again… just like in the dream. He started over, teeth bared, "My brother's quarry, the nine-tails, is there." Without another word of explanation, Sasuke took off. He could have gone silently, but his sandals were thudding against the tree branches. He was in the mood for a temper, and was stomping rather forcefully, snapping more than a few branches along the way. This was not lost on the rest of Team Hebi, who followed to the side, silently, warily… and somewhat sulkily.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"What's that Hinata-sama?"

"N-nothing." The pale girl stuttered, whipping the 'object' around to hold it behind her back, "Some herbs I picked up on our last mission." She stares down at her cousin, who's sitting on his futon; he'd been reading a scroll before she came to deliver a message from her father. His room was nice… lots of little bits and pieces from the places he'd been on missions were arranged neatly on long, thin shelves lining the wall in different sections. You go a lot of places when you're in ANBU.

Neji appeared behind her, snatching it away, looking inside the small paper bag.

"Neji-ni-san!" Hinata turned and lunged for the package, earning a smack in the face from a loose ponytail of chocolate hair as Neji turned away.

"Five packets of Cajun chicken ramen seasonings?"

"Not so loud!" Hinata begged, reaching for the bag.

Neji snatched one of the packets out of the bag and read aloud what was written on it, all the while keeping both it and the paper bag out of reach, "Ooo! Exclusive seasoning made specially only once every 3 years! Sure to satisfy ANY ramen lover!"

"N-N-NEJI!" Her face was a charming crimson by now, and she was stuttering more from being flustered than from habit, "G-Give N-Naruto's present back you... you…" Neji waited, amused, to see what she would come up with to call him, she finished with a flourish, shaking with rage, "you… manwhore!"

Silence…

Hinata clamps her hands over her mouth.

"Hinata-sama… did you just call me a manwhore?"

"n-no!" Hinata squeaked.

A laugh of disbelief... "You did! You just called me a manwhore!" He was now chuckling (the closest he had yet come to laughing hysterically), he gave the package back, and: "Do you even know what that means?"

She took the package back sulkily, "Yes! T-Temari-san told me! N-Now g-give me back the last p-packet!"

The laughing stopped; he held the tiny little paper packet up innocently, "This packet?"

"Yes." She hissed, making a grab for it.

He backed away holding it up too high for her to reach, and set it up on the highest shelf in his room, next to a porcelain tea cup with doves in flight over a moonlight lake hand-painted on it. From, wouldn't you know it? Tea Country!

"N-Neji! Knock it off!"

Neji raises a chocolate eyebrow, "Are you sure you want me to knock it off Hinata-sama?"
"Yes!" she hissed in confirmation.

He smirks, and then reaches up one slender hand, long sleeve falling down to expose his pale arm, and a black swirl of an ANBU tattoo. Hinata sighs in relief, and he brings his middle finger down and thumb up to form a circle, middle finger tucked slightly behind his thumb, the rest of his fingers stuck straight up. Hinata's head quirks to the side in confusion, brow furrowed and one navy eyebrow raised. Neji releases his middle finger, effortlessly flicking the packet off the shelf.

Hinata gasps in disbelief, "HYUUGA NEJI!" Then she dives for the falling packet... and so does Neji.

They're a tangle of limbs, chocolate hair, and curses when Hyuuga Hanabi slides open the fusuma (traditional Japanese wood and rice paper sliding door), a bemused Shikamaru directly behind.

Both fighting Hyuugas freeze immediately, both quickly untangling themselves and standing to face the door, straightening their clothes in a second. Neji's impassive face was back and Hinata's blush was back.

"It's polite to knock Hanabi-sama." Neji deadpans, slipping Hinata the packet discreetly.

Hanabi ignores him, "Nara-san asked to see you, you can see him out when you're done, I have training to do." With that she pivots on her heel and leaves.

"Troublesome little kids… well I suppose she's a teenager by now… Hinata-san?" He pauses, tilting his head and scrutinizing her, "Did you cut your hair again?"

Hinata mumbles something incomprehensible, staring at the floor like it was the Holy Grail, and twisting strands of her couple-inch long hair.

"Hinata-sama had an accident on her last mission. We were obligated to cut her hair like she had it previously… she may grow it out again, though it is more convenient this way."

"Aa." Shikamaru nods, "Hinata-san?"

The kunoichi reluctantly lifts her gaze from the floor and meets his eyes, "Hai?"

"You've been pretty successful with diplomatic missions right?"

"H-hai, I p-prefer them bec-cause they're n-not violent."

'Yeah, just a lot of acting humble around a bunch of big ego's… oh wait… she's a lives with a bunch of Hyuuga's, of course she'd be perfect for it.' Shikamaru muses, then out loud, "And both of you're taijutsu skills are still exemplary correct?"

"Hai." They both answered immediately.

"Good good, one less troublesome category group to take care off…" Shikamaru mutters.

Neji raises an eyebrow in question, and the Nara shakes his head, "Nah, you'll find out soon enough, it'd be too troublesome to explain it all now… can you escort me out of here? I don't think you're family wants me walking around here alone, and I need to find Sakura and her team."

"I-I'll do it." Hinata quickly snatches the opportunity, "You can g-go b-back to your scroll Neji-ni-san!"

Neji smirks, 'I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that Naruto-kun is on Haruno-san's team.' "Don't forget sparring tonight after dinner with Hiashi-sama and I."

"I won't!" Hinata singsong's from the hallway, dragging an irritated Shikamaru with her, 'twice in the same day… damn woman are troublesome.'

They found Team 7 (and extras) just finishing checking Ruin and Shinji into their hotel next to the park they had lunched at.

"Sakura?" She turned to face the deer caretaker and the Hyuuga.

"Shikamaru-kun! Hinata-chan!" she walks over to hug the latter, eyeing the brown package with curiosity.

"Do you need something Nara?" Sai asks.

"Yeah, hopefully I can get it quickly… Sakura, how were you able to defeat Ino's mind-transfer jutsu in the chuunin exams?"

Sakura freezes, poor Hinata still trapped in her embrace, and Ruin smirks from under his hood.

"T-that's private Shikamaru!" Sakura yells, cuffing the back of his head "Don't be asking such questions! Shinobi don't just blab their techniques to everyone!"

"What's with me being so popular all the sudden?" Inner Sakura squeaks.

"OW! Calm down woman! It's for a mission!" he snaps, massaging the back of his head, "Fine, you don't have to tell me it it's too troublesome for you! All I need to know is if you could do something like that again, or if it was a one time thing?"

Sakura stands up straight, mumbling an apology then, "Oh… I could do it again, why?"

"You'll figure it out later." He glares at her, then whips out a scroll from one of his jounin-vest pockets and scribbles something furiously on it. "I'm going back to the Hokage Tower, to get this troublesome mission over…"

"Ah yes, I have to head that way too…" Ruin muses, handing Coriander to a not-too-happy-about-it Shinji, who awkwardly held her out, violet and amber eyes making a showdown.

Shikamaru looks up hopefully, "Ne… Thalionar-san… do you think you could take this scroll for me?" 'Please spare me!' he mentally pleads as well for good measure.

Ruin laughs, "Of course." He takes the scroll and holds it gently, not wanting to smudge any of the recently penned ink.

Shikamaru almost faints in relief, "Thank-you! Ja!" With that he stuffs his hands in his pockets, and turns, slouching out off the lobby towards with every intention of spending the remainder of the afternoon on his favorite rooftop.

Hinata, realizing her previous companion making his exit, quickly runs forward and shoves the packet into Naruto's hands, then backs away, head bowed, "It… i-it's just something I p-picked up on m-my last m-mission… Ithoughtyoumightlikeit!" she finished quickly, sentence blurring.

Raising his eyebrows, Naruto opens the package and sees what's inside. His face shines with joy and he nearly screams, "THANKS HINATA-CHAN!" and glomps her, he backs away and gives her his best cheesy grin and eye crinkle, "That was really nice, I'm going to eat it tonight!"

"He just had ramen for lunch…" Shinji mutters in disbelief, breaking off the staring contest to look the hyperactive nin up and down.

"You seriously underestimate Uzumaki Naruto if you think that was enough ramen for him…" This explanation was given surprisingly by Coriander. Shinji looked back the girl he was still holding out from him, and the staring contest was back on again.

Hinata looks as if she just spent 10 hours in the desert… without any sun block, but to her immense relief and surge of pride… she did NOT pass out, "Y-you're welcome N-Naruto-kun! I-I-I, I have to go now, j-ja ne!" With a quick wave, the jacket-wearing kunoichi fled the hotel lobby, running for the Hyuuga compound, and practically wriggling with delight.

"You are aware that nice young woman has feelings of the romantic sort for you correct Naruto-kun?" Ruin inquires casually.

Silence… everyone freezes, Sakura and Coriander because they had been waiting 4 years for the blonde to figure it out on his own (Well I suppose Coriander just knew about it and understood the implications). Shinji was silent because he could sense this was an awkward situation. Sai was glaring daggers at Sakura that all but said out loud: why aren't you beating the living daylights out of Ruin for telling him like you did me for almost telling Little-dick? Ruin was silent, just waiting for a response.

Naruto's face went blank.

"Oh no! The calm before the storm!" Inner Sakura dived for protection behind a pile of rocks, which had conveniently appeared.

Naruto looked down, eyes in shadow, "…I know…" Naruto whispered, sounding almost remorseful. Everyone's eyes widened in shock, Sakura's jaw shamelessly hanging open.

"NANI!?!? He knew all this time and didn't do anything about it! BAKA!" Inner Sakura was shaking her fist in the air, the pile of rocks had disappeared.

"There's no way her family would approve, an orphan, marrying into the prestigious Hyuuga clan," he continued, barely audible, "Also… there are too many people after me, too many people that would use her against me…hurt her to get to me… I don't care if she'd be willing to risk it," he hisses sharply, silencing what he knew Sakura was about to say, than he finishes, "I wouldn't be willing to risk it, I wouldn't even put using her against me above Sasuke… and especially not above Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame. Besides, I have more important things on my mind than relationships."

Ruin Thalionar nods from the doorway, satisfied, "Giving personality…" He then slips out without the other's noticing, and head's for the Hokage Tower, long legs taking him there nearly twice as fast as the normal person.

Naruto pushes past Sakura, still clutching the paper bag tightly. Coriander wriggles out of Shinji's grasp – much to his relief – and lands running, "Naru-kun!" He pauses, sad eyes gazing down, as she runs up to him, breathless. She holds up her small arms and chubby hands. He manages a half-smile and picks her up, holding her against his chest; "I'll watch Cori-chan tonight."

"Naruto WAIT!" Sakura blurts, right arm stretched out to grab him.

"I'll be fine Sakura, I'll see you tomorrow if not sooner." As she takes her first step forward, he disappears in a POOF! of smoke, transportation jutsu carrying him and Coriander to his apartment.

"Naruto…" Sakura whispers. Sai comes to stand next to her, putting an arm around her in a half-hug, arm resting comfortably on her hip. "Little-dick will be all right. If he's dealt with it 4 years… I'm sure he can deal with it now. You'll be bonking him on the head again in no time Ugly."

Shinji shakes his head at all the drama, and with a slight jingling of his room key, sweeps up the stairs to his room, leaving the two alone to comfort each other. He didn't understand them or the situation enough to be of any help anyway.

"Thank-you Sai…" Apple-green eyes find the floor, obviously still not feeling quite right.

Sai tried to think of anything that would help… he certainly wasn't going to be able to comfort her enough… and it clicked, "Let's go stop by the flower shop and see Ino-san. I'm sure she misses you by now." 'Or the ear Sakura offers to all of her gossip…'

A small laugh, "It's only been a couple of days Sai."

An eyebrow raise, "I was under the impression girls enjoyed squealing, whispering, and/or giggling meaningless things to each other on a daily basis…"

She elbowed him in the side; with no real malice behind it though, "Don't be so discriminate against females!"

Sai smiles, happy to see some life back in her, "Well let's go then." And before she could so much as squeak a protest, Sai turned, and swept her up, bridal-style, and they both disappeared in a swirl of ink… Sai's personalized version of the transportation jutsu.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ruin knocked firmly on the Hokage's door, entering after hearing the sharp, "Come in already!"

Grinning, he entered, pulling his hood back. "Tsunade-hime." He bowed respectfully, bringing his right hand to his forehead lightly then holding it out towards her, palm up.

Tsunade ignores him; all he could see of her was the top of her blonde head and the back of her chair. She appeared to be finding the rooftops of Konoha particularly fascinating, "Don't call me that brat."
He moved to sit in the chair across from the Hokage, cloak falling open as he stretched out his long legs. He undoes the simple iron clasp and lets it fall onto the back of the chair, "But it's who you are to us, hime."

"Tch." A vein appeared on her forehead, and she turned her chair around, looking angry, but she looked him up and down nonetheless, a fact that was not lost on Ruin, who smirked accordingly.

She glared, then "I'm just trying to match the image of a gangly 14 year old with wild hair flying around his laughing face with the smartass of a 23 year old I see before me, so don't be getting any ideas."

Tilting his head to the side, "I wouldn't dream of it hime. Can't say the same for you … although I never took you as a cradle-robber Tsunade-hime."

Baring her teeth and closing her eyes, Tsunade leans across the desk, fingers at ready, inadvertently giving Ruin a rather good view of her genetically blessed chest. Before he could make a joke about it however, Tsunade released her index finger on his left shoulder, effectively giving him a dead arm and a charlie horse.

"Ow Tsunade-hime! That hurt!" he was laughing now, holding his sore and useless arm, "I was just joking!"

She sits back in her chair, "Why are you here Ruin-kun?"

'The honorific is back now huh?' he raised a dark-red eyebrow, "You know why I'm here Tsunade-hime, it's by Konoha's request."

"Yes, Konoha's request ten years ago." She corrected.

"We didn't have any Journeymen available at that time."

"And where have you been for the past 5 years?"

"Basic training and information gathering, as every journeyman must."

"We don't have the resources to supply you what you need."

"You owe us an apprentice Tsunade."

"I owe you nothing! That deal was lost when you're master refused to come here and made impossible by our war with Sound!"

"Master Sepias hasn't left the compound in 67 years Tsunade, why would he make the journey here? You're war with Sound was four years ago hime, I'm sure your village is doing fine."

She wouldn't meet his gaze; she picked up a sake cup and threw it back, drinking the rice beverage without even tasting it.

"Tsunade-hime…"

She slammed the cup down, hairline fractures branching through the porcelain, "Don't call me that! It's either Hokage-sama or just plain Tsunade, I'm not your princess for Kami's sake!" Breathing deeply to try and moderate her temper, then with a much more resigned voice, "I'll compile a list of genin whose parents would allow something like this –"

"I have already decided Tsunade. This shinobi meets all the requirements for what we need."

Tsunade's head snaps up, finally meeting his red-gold eyes, 'Nani??? I thought I told him to stay away from my people until this meeting was over!'

"And Nara Shikamaru-kun asked for me to give this to you." He leaned forward, placing the scroll on her desk.

Tsunade grabs his wrist before he can pull away, "Who?" He looks up at her and stares for a while, rueful that he was the cause of the panicked and hurt look on her face, he moved his mouth to speak…

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An ANBU appears inside the Yamanaka Flower Shop. Sakura is sitting on the corner next to Ino, who's managing to cheer her friend up. Sai is in a corner, sketching some Bumblebee Orchids, its been a few hours since Naruto's revelation, "Sai, Haruno Sakura, you're presence is required in the Hokage Tower, immediately."

"Hai." They both answer simultaneously.

Sakura slips off the counter, straightening her black cargo shorts and red tank top. Sai collects his drawing things and stows them away neatly. And they both meet in the middle of the shop, preparing to leave.

A bell jingles, and the shop door opens and Naruto walks in, holding Coriander, "Ino? Could you watch Cori-chan for me? I need to go meet the Hokage…" he trailed off, seeing the rest of his team.

Sakura looked concerned, Sai looked curious, Ino looked indignant, "It's not your decision to make Naruto…" she mutters darkly, referring to Hinata.

He raises his chin up, defiant.

The ANBU turns to Naruto, "Uzumaki Naruto, the Hokage requests the presence of Caranluin Coriander as well."

He nods, "Let's go then."

Sai and Sakura prepare to go as well, and they all disappear simultaneously.

Shinji is waiting at the bottom of the tower, and steps back, curious. A cloud of smoke, a large maelstrom of ink, and a shower of cherry blossoms all appear at the same time, dissipating to reveal Naruto and Coriander, Sakura, and Sai. He looks Sakura and Sai up and down, "We're waiting for two more…"

Naruto, Sai, and Sakura look at each other and shrug, waiting.

"Come up when they arrive." Shinji orders and then he turns, hands in his sleeves, making his way up the steps.

"He's always so proper…the way he walks and acts…" Naruto shakes his head.

"He's been trained to be like that." They all look at Coriander, expectant, and the little girl continues, "The way he acts, the way he looks, how slender he is, how he wears his hair, his ceremonial clothing… he's been trained to do that since he was probably my age… And he resents it."

The all look in shock to the girl, "How can you tell that Cori-chan?" Sakura asks warily, not sure she wants to know.

The child looks thoughtful for a second, then: "The way he talks… it's not proper enough for someone who acts the way he does, it feels natural for him to be respectful but he fights against it, forcing himself to talk normally, it's his rebellion. And his temper… most people would pass that off as him being a rich snob, but it's unlikely he personally owns any of that clothing, and it's also very unlikely a servant would be allowed to show his impatience or any surliness. –"

'Servant?' all three teens asked themselves mentally.

"Also," Coriander continued, "Did you see the look on his face when Ruin-kun told him he had left his 'clan'? It was admiration, and jealousy. Shinji-kun wants to break away too." They all look up at the Hokage Tower, where Shinji has just reached the top of the stairs. Sensing their stairs, he turns his head and glares down at them.

"Tee-hee, his chopsticks look like horns from this angle." Inner Sakura runs around with a pitchfork, horns and tail in place.

But there was something else there, in his eyes… discontent, resentfulness, anger, things the three of them hadn't picked up on before now.

Naruto sweatdrops, "How old are you?"

A cheeky grin with dimples, "This many!" She holds up 4 stubby fingers, with tiny manicured nails (result of a night spent at Ino's).

2 showers of lavender rose petals swirl around them and Hinata and Neji walk out towards them, regular clothes replaced with black tank tops and black cargo shorts. Jyuken bruises cover their arms, legs, and what was visible of their chest and backs. Hinata 'eeps' and hides behind Neji, who squares his shoulders and stands up straight to give her as much coverage as possible.

"The ANBU insisted on right away." Neji explains, "Naruto? Can Hinata borrow your jacket?" Naruto immediately begins slipping off his jacket, leaving him in his pants and a long-sleeve fishnet shirt. Neji stretches out one long, bruise-mottled arm, ANBU tattoo swirling around his right deltoid.

"EEE! ANBU tattoo's are such a turn-on!" Sakura blushes from her Inner's lack of self control.

Naruto passes Neji the jacket and he immediately hands it to Hinata who hurriedly puts it on and zips it up in an attempt to cover her rather extensive cleavage.

"Those have got to get in the way of missions!"

"Let me heal you first Hinata!" Sakura steps forward, hand outstretched and already glowing green.

Neji grabs her wrist, right behind the chakra, "Wait until we get inside, we're late as it is."

"I-I'm fine Sakura-c-chan." Hinata smiles, "These w-wounds are pretty routine f-for Neji-ni-san and I."

Neji turned and walked up the steps, Hinata following closely, Naruto's straight-cut jacket stretching awkwardly over her curves… it was long enough to make it to mid-thigh on her (Except in the back, where it made it to the bottom of her butt due to how curvy she was). The rest of them shrugged and walked up after the cousins, and by the time they made it to the door to the Hokage's office, Neji was already knocking.

"Enter."

They did, Tsunade, Shinji, Ruin, Shizune, and Shikamaru were already inside. Eight extra chairs had been brought in, so everyone could sit down comfortably, with Coriander on someone's lap.

Tsunade looked up wearily from her desk, "Let's get this over with… Sai? Please shut the door behind you, everyone," She sweeps a hand out in the direction of the semi-circle of chairs in front of her desk, "Please sit."

They did as she asked, Shizune was sitting to the Hokage's left, brush ready to take notes of the meeting, then Ruin, Shikamaru, Shinji, Neji, Hinata, Sai, Sakura, and Naruto with Coriander on his lap on the end to Tsunade's right. "Shikamaru, please begin. And the rest of you: no interruptions until Umamoto-san has spoken." The remaining assembled shinobi furrowed their brows and all but two shifted in their seats uncomfortably, not knowing what to expect.

He nods, "I'm going to just go clockwise to make the information easier to connect with the people instead of working down the troublesome list…" Shinji nods in approval.

"Name: Hyuuga Neji. Age: 17 Rank: Jounin with ANBU status. He's a close-range taijutsu specialist, genius of his class at the academy, and prodigy of the Hyuuga family. I believe he would be ideal for protecting the nin that goes under as well as any of the expensive equipment around." Shinji nods to Shizune, and she pens it down.

"Next, Name: Hyuuga Hinata. Age: 16 Rank: Chuunin. She is – for the sake of losing troublesome extra words – the ideal stereotypical kunoichi. She also has accepted several diplomatic missions over the years, all ending successful. She is very discreet, very skilled, and most importantly, very underestimated." Shinji's eyes widen in newfound respect and admiration for the stuttering girl, as does everyone else's in the room. Another nod, another confirmation written down.

Shikamaru slides his chocolate eyes to Sai, "Name: unknown. Codename: Sai. Exact Age: unknown. Estimated Age: 16-17. Rank: jounin with ANBU status, he was also a member of the now disbanded organization Root, and received their emotional training." Shinji's eyes narrow and he doesn't look pleased, Shikamaru continues, "He is a very capable shinobi, skilled in long-range attacks as well as close-range, whereupon he resorts to using his sword." The mention of swordsmanship seemed to lighten Shinji up a bit.

"What category did you have him in for Nara-kun?"

"Brute force." Sai raises his eyebrows, Shinji turns to Shikamaru, eyes asking a question.

Shikamaru came to Sai's defense, "It was him or Rock Lee," Shinji blanches, "I assumed you would prefer Sai-kun's artistic abilities, generally quiet demeanor, and less… ostentatious clothing…"

Shinji leans back, considering, then… a nod. Shizune pens it out.

Shikamaru turns to Sakura, "Finally…" "Finally??? What about Naruto?"

"Name: Haruno Sakura. Age: 16. Official Status: chuunin. General Status: Jounin-level medic nin. She has been chosen as, 1) there are very few nin's in Konoha that would be suited for what you're asking, and 2)The most experienced of these nin's is not a very pleasant individual, and also is not available to leave Konoha. Generally at this point I would resort to the Yamanaka clan, however, the kunoichi before you has beaten one of them even after her opponent used a mind-transfer jutsu. This implies very strong willpower and possibly a hidden jutsu. Also, as one of the most accomplished medic-nin's in the world, I believe it would be prudent to have her there for the sake of being with your friend when he awakens."

Shinji nod's almost immediately, and very quickly. "A genius indeed Nara-kun. I appreciate your efforts."

"They still have to agree to the mission themselves Umamoto-san," Tsunade reminds gently.

"Um-o… was it a mistake that the ANBU asked for me and Cori-chan to be here too? I think I came to the wrong briefing…"

Tsunade sighs deeply, "No Naruto-kun, you are supposed to be here…"

"I have chosen you for my apprentice Naruto-kun." Ruin says simply, "It will not differ much from your training with the Sannin Jariya a few years past. And will last about the same amount of time as well… when we are finished, you will be free to either advance to Journeyman status or to return to Konoha."

Sakrua and Naruto were gaping, eyes twitching in disbelief. Sai's eyes had widened considerably and he was wearing grooves into the chair arms with his fingers. The Hyuuga's looked confused, Shinji and Shizune looked annoyed and sympathetic, and Tsunade and Shikamaru looked remorseful.

"Nani?!? Do I even get a choice?" Naruto finally snaps.

"I'm afraid not Naruto."

"Why wasn't I briefed about this privately? And who's going to take care of Cori-chan while all three of us are gone? She can't live off of low-calorie food, flowers, and maniqures for 3 years! That's just cruel! Also, Ino has work and missions as well!" Naruto's standing now, clutching Coriander tightly.

"You weren't briefed about it privately because you would have reacted this way no matter the situation. You and I will be accompanying Shinji-kun's group for a few months at least. Caranluin Coriander will be accompanying our group as well."

"But it's dangerous!" Protested an indignant Sakura.

Shinji intervenes,"We plan on taking her to her father, he is a… difficult man to find. That is why Naruto-kun and Ruin-kun will be accompanying us. We will be working together to find her father, and then we will go our separate ways."

"But –"

"No buts." Tsunade cuts in, clearly, "Shizune, Naruto, Coriander, and Ruin. You need to leave now as the rest of everyone must be informed of their mission." All three adults stand, and begin leaving.

"O-oh Naruto-kun!" He pivotes and looks at Hinata, who's stood up and is now unzipping his jacket. The others continue out the door.

"Keep it until you can get changed… and let Sakrua heal those bruises will you?" Then he sweeps out the door, closing it behind him.

Shikamaru, now that he's done with the official reporting, is back to lazy mode, and slouches in his seat, preparing to take a nap… he'd been informed of everything already anyways.

"Hinata-chan, please come here, I will heal you." Tsunade pulls out another fold-out type chair from under her desk and places it near her, "Sakura, please attend to Neji.

The two cousins and the pink-haired medic shift around the room accordingly. Tsunade and Sakura both gather green chakra to their hands and begin healing.

"Umamoto-san, please begin briefing them on their mission… should they choose to accept it."

Shinji nods and stands, prepariing to begin.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Here's some facts about Kunoichi's I found interesting (This is also to help you understand what Shikamaru meant when he called Hinata "you're basic stereotypical kunoichi):

Kunoichi were trained differently than male ninja. Their training focussed more on disguise, poisons, and using their gender to an advantage. They were trained in close combat, and they were only to make use of this knowledge when they were caught. They would usually disguise themselves as prostitutes, entertainers, fortunetellers, and the like to get very close to the enemy. Generally, they would seduce the soon-to-be victim and when they get close enough, they would poison them.

Kunoichi would hide weapons in their disguise, like poisoned needles in their hair and dirks up their sleeves. They also often would turn a previously harmless item into a weapon, like they would learn how to break bones with their wooden shoes, they would put a hidden blade on their fan, and they would use an umbrella as a momentary sheild.

Their favorite weapon was the neko-te. The neko-te are iron fingernails that would be fastened to the hand by leather straps. They were usually dipped in poison, and the favorite place to slice were the eyes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything related to Tolkien. Coriander, Ruin, and Shinji are mine though! Ah the simple things that make me happy…

You people that are reading but aren't reviewing! DO IT! You can do it! Even if it's just a 'Hn' or an 'Aa'… wow I'm pathetic. lol I enjoy reviews to no end but don't review if you don't want to, just enjoy. Thanx again

-- Anilmathiel