So, here I am again! Because my mom won't let me use the Internet. …She doesn't know that I'm posting. So heh heh… My friends and I have fun thinking of places in clothing that we could slip cyanide or weapons. Yeah… Anybody like Evanescence or Within Temptation…?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Or my favorite musical groups.

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As they stepped into the crowded ballroom, Sakura's eyes scanned the surroundings and the people in attendance for signs of danger. Nobody carried anything openly, but scattered here and there she saw the telltale signs of weapons – hidden, but not hidden well enough. Her own weapons, as well as Ino's, were concealed cleverly in different places, such as the napes of their necks, held on by a special choker and hidden by Ino's high collar and Sakura's cloak. There was also a kunai on each of their thighs (A/N: Ino's dress is long enough so that it doesn't show), senbon in Ino's hair, wire worked into the braids framing her face, and the old dagger-in-the-shoe. Of course, a vial of cyanide was hidden in the blood-colored flower Sakura had pinned to the front of her cloak. Ino had a small but lethal dose stashed in the thin, golden ring that glimmered faintly on her finger.

Bowing to Ino, she offered a hand and led her to the dance floor so that they could talk. As they danced, she spoke.

"Sensei said that he'd arranged for someone to meet us her… He said she, so…" Ino's head shot up from its place on Sakura's shoulder.

"Do you think – "

Sakura nodded, grinning. "I think so. If she's one of them, then we'll be out of here with his head in no time."

Ino returned the smile and pulled away. "Thanks so much for the dance, Haru-kun," she crooned, fluttering her eyelashes flirtatiously. Sakura laughed, shoving her gently.

"Go on, then, Yuri," she urged. "Ask him to dance! He's your fiancé, isn't he?" Blushing like made, the blond girl approached Sasuke, who had been watching enviously. Sakura watched with amusement until a touch on her shoulder alerted her to someone behind her.

"I do believe he was jealous of you," the person giggled. Sakura spun around, hardly believing her ears.

"Yomi?!" she choked. Sure enough, there stood the flame-haired girl with her ever-present harp slung loving over her shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. Her gray-flecked green eyes danced merrily, darting from face to face, always on the lookout for enemies.

"Ita – Oh, it's you, Haru," she realized. "You look so much like him that I thought for a second you were him!" She laughed gaily.

"So they've told me," Sakura replied dryly. "Did Yuki-san send you, then? To help us?" Yomi giggled, wrinkling her nose and rolling her eyes.

"Why else would one of the Shinda Tsuki be here at a party like this? You know we avoid things like this at all costs," she scoffed with obvious distaste. "I can't even dance!"
"Hn… Yuri, darling, come and see who's come to see us!" Sakura called, gesturing to Ino. The blonde excused herself from Sasuke and padded over, Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi following her.

"Yomi!" she exclaimed happily. "I haven't seen you in ages!" She glided over to the other girl and engulfed her in a polite hug that still managed to convey her joy at seeing Yomi. "How is – " They all glanced at each other. Ino had grown close to Yomi's "little sister", Tsuki.

"Oh… She's… fine," Yomi answered after a brief pause in a tone that indicated she was lying. Kakashi cleared his throat to remind them that the men were there.

"Ah… Yomi, this is our team – Hatori, Ryu, and Kyo – " pointing to each in turn. "Guys, this is Yomi," Sakura said, rubbing her head sheepishly. "We met her while we were traveling." Traveling meaning a mission, of course. "She's going to introduce us to Kure-sama."
"Our target," Ino added in an undertone at Naruto's inquiring look.

"Oh." He nodded sagely in understanding. "I see." He really didn't.

"So!" Sakura piped up. "Yuri and Ryu still need to dance; they're fiancés," she explained to Yomi, winking.

"Ha!" the slim, gray-green-eyed girl let out, catching on. "I see! Well, don't let me keep you from each other!" She caught her breath as she got a good glimpse of "Ryu"'s face. "Uchiha?" she breathed.

Sakura's lips tightened. "Aa," she replied. "His otouto." Holding out a slender hand, she grinned at Yomi. "Shall we dance, milady?"

Yomi grinned back. "I can't dance," she warned. Sakura only shrugged.

"You can only learn by practice," she remarked, emerald eyes twinkling. "Didn't sensei say something like that once?"

"Ah, ah, you got me." Yomi took the offered hand and followed her out onto the dance floor beside Ino and Sasuke. "About Kyo – he's Sharingan no Kakashi, then?"
"Aa."
Yomi's face darkened. "The one who called you weak?" she growled. Sakura smiled reassuringly, tightening her grip on Yomi's wrist warningly.

"It's fine," she muttered. "I'm not weak now; even sensei admits it."

"With a kiss?" Yomi asked wickedly; Sakura blushed and scowled.

"No, of course not! D-don't be ridiculous!" she stammered, pale face telling all. Yomi only smiled knowingly.

"Invite me to the wedding," she teased. Sakura's blush deepened to an impossible shade of crimson. "So, anyway," the member of Shinda Tsuki continued, completely serious now, "you're not bare, are you?"
Sakura shook her head. "Does it show that much?" she asked worriedly. "I thought we did a good job hiding the weapons."
Yomi laughed. "No, you just looked too innocent. If I know you two, you'll have a weapon for every guest in here!"
Her partner smiled, looking pleased. "Praise from one of you is a high honor indeed," she murmured. "But not quite so many tools as you suppose." Leaning in, she whispered, "Yuri's heels are stilettos."

Why'd you tell her that?

Don't you remember? It's customary to reveal one weapon. As long as we're allies with Shinda Tsuki, we should follow Shinda Tsuki rules.

Yomi nodded, satisfied. "There's a packet of senbon strapped to the inside of my left thigh." Her knee-length skirt gave easy access to them.

"Haru. How much longer can you hold out?" Kakashi's voice sounded tense by her ear. "We should move on."

"Aw, ruin our fun time, why don't you, Kyo?" Sakura pouted, beaming to show that she was joking. "So, Yomi-chan! We'd like to meet Kure-sama."

"Follow me, Haru, dear!" Yomi chirped, waving to Ino and Sasuke. "Where's Hatori-kun?" Naruto materialized by her shoulder, eyeing her harp curiously.

"I'm here; why do you carry that thing around?" he asked. Yomi only smiled evasively and kept walking to the front of the room.

"Haru." Ino's voice was tight and controlled. "Remember what sensei said, okay? Don't leave your left side open so much."

"Keep your blades until you need them most," Sakura responded. "My left will not be my downfall."

Ino shrugged. "As you will."

Yomi turned and put a finger to her lips, speckled eyes darting back and forth. "Approach him with caution," she whispered. "He's dangerous. He killed her."

"Who?" Ino demanded, face suddenly taut.

Yomi's lips tightened, and she hesitated before saying, "Tsuki. He and his damned guards killed Tsuki. Now we really are Shinda Tsuki." She let out a bitter laugh.

"No!" Ino fell to her knees, unnoticed amidst the throngs of people.

Sakura looked at Yomi. "Tsuki?" she said sharply. "He killed Tsuki?" Yomi nodded silently.

"She managed to take out his head guard for you." Suddenly, she tossed something to Sakura. "Don't let her effort be in vain." Casting a sorrowful glance at Ino, she disappeared into the crowd.

"We're on our own now," Sakura sighed. "Yuri, get up. Tsuki needs to be avenged." Ino rose with a look of calm rage on her face.

"You three. Stay out of this," she ordered quietly. "This is our fight." Before anyone could protest, they approached Kure.

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Almost done!!! Then I've got another story coming up!!!!