He made it through the gates. That part, at least, had gone smoothly.

But Kakashi found himself sprinting now.

No sooner had he turned down the second street from Konoha's walls did the woman begin to stir at his back. Her breathing was falling out of rhythm, her head lulled further across his shoulder.

If she woke up now inside the village and created a scene, it would draw the unwanted attention of others within the minute. Kakashi wasn't certain how drowsy the woman would be when she did finally emerge from her induced state, or if she would be capable of a fight. But he did know one thing. Having a missing-nin wake up in a state of alarm, in a quiet neighborhood, could be disastrous.

So, his clone was sent ahead, no longer carrying the orange book as cover. Instead, he rushed down alleys and streets, directing the real shinobi to unoccupied routes and eventually toward the apartment. One road led to the next, then to a street that wasn't so familiar. It was a sloppy effort to avoid a chortling couple on an evening stroll. Sloppy, but effective. Overhead, the streetlights were beginning to flicker on, the patterned illumination doing little for Kakashi's nerves. He vaguely got the feeling of a prison warden trying to throw a spotlight on him before sending out his guards to apprehend the shinobi.

Sweat beaded across Kakashi's forehead, his pulse slammed erratically against his skin. He had to make it. He had to.

The woman shifted and the thought of waiting somewhere to knock her out instead came to mind, but he soon dismissed it. While it would solve the immediate issue, it was bound to do more damage to her temperament when she, inevitably, did come to.

The whole point of sneaking her in was to expose the truth of Konoha. Having her tally up misdeeds done against her would not help his situation in garnering answers.

Any further contemplation on his dwindling luck was put on hold as he and his clone turned the next corner. A familiar view greeted the exhausted man, teasing the respite that was on the cusp. Just three buildings down were a multistory structure standing out in stark comparison from the dark sky. The ivory stone foundation stretched to a modest height between the adjacent drab facilities and was adorned with indigo railings along the exposed halls. It created an unofficial balcony to the many simple, grey doors. It was common for a couple residences use the balcony for their house plants to get fresh air and sunlight. Few windows were drawn open with a shinobi or two preparing their evening meal and relaxing from the day. Most kept their privacy during the late hours, and similar to his own area, many of the curtains were closed.

For good measure, Kakashi pulled his forehead protector up to reveal his crimson eye in case a fellow comrade unexpectedly stumbled upon him. His clone poofed away, no longer needed as a guide.

Sprinting along the sidewalk, Kakashi reached the alley and turned sharply into the shadows. When he reached nearly the end of the side street, he leapt up the wall of the neighboring brick building before pushing away and landing gracefully on the top of the blue metal rails of the third floor. The lone, crimson eye scanned for movement in the open hall and scattered bare windows. Once convinced that no one was alerted to his presence outside their doors, he flickered from his perch and arrived at his designated entrance.

Leaning forward so the woman's body was balanced without the aid of his hands, he plucked his key from his pocket to unlock his door. Just as the metal was nearly inserted into the lock, the kunoichi leaned to the left. The movement nearly caused her to fall off his back, had he not dropped the item to return his hands under her thighs.

Eyes wide, body tense, Kakashi hesitated to move until he was certain she was still asleep. A shallow exhale left him before his gaze zeroed in on the keys next to his sandals. Frowning, Kakashi lowered to a squat in the smoothest motion possible to pick up the keys and return it to the lock.

Only seconds later did Kakashi find refuge in the apartment, locking the door behind him and flipping on the light.

The temperature inside had a slight chill to it that felt more like an abrasive wall against the sweat exposed across his brow. There was a minor staleness to the air, not quite a musk, but the smell a house permeates with wisps of old wallpaper and wood floors. But Kakashi didn't waste time with thoughts to make his home more presentable.

Where to put the kunoichi…?

Did he bind her to the desk chair?

That wouldn't do much for her mood or for keeping her in place. He was certain that tying a missing-nin to a simple wooden chair would be laughable with how effortless it was to escape from.

Binding her entirely and leaving her on the bed was out of the question. While Kakashi didn't emotionally claim ownership of his small space, he couldn't say he liked the idea of putting the rogue woman in his bed. And putting her on the ground wasn't an option. He did have manners, after all.

A groan rumbled near his ear.

Whatever he was going to do, he needed to decide now.

His apartment wasn't large, nor elaborately furnished. Opting for the simplest approach, made his way into the bedroom and lowered himself next to his desk that was affixed to the wall with a single metal leg mounting it to the floor. The woman slumped off this back, where he maneuvered her to lean against the adjourning bookshelf. Gloved hands pulled her wrists around the leg of the desk where he expertly wrapped them with the chakra string.

Her fingers twitched and eyes danced behind her lids.

Kakashi switched to her ankles, repeating the process of tying them together, though only her wrists anchored her to the unmovable desk. Unmovable, unless she had Sakura's strength.

Finding it unlikely that was the case, not that the chakra strings would allow the woman to try, Kakashi stepped out of his room and into the living space. Coming to the modest kitchen, he shed off his Jonin vest before tossing it across the singular chair pushed against a tiny wooden table. His hands came to land on the countertop, a shaky breath leaving him. The brisk apartment air cooled the sweat that stuck the fabric of his shirt to his skin, eliciting his aching muscles to slouch in reprieve.

He made it. The relief was overwhelming. The tightness in his chest finally easing, giving him the freedom to breathe deeply.

A scuff of something against the hardwood floors all but announced that the woman was emerging from her slumber. The shifting of something against the bookcase was followed by a quiet curse under her breath, aimed at him.

Kakashi didn't know what Gods had granted him the good fortune to successfully sneak in the criminal, but he hoped it would extend a little while longer. He wasn't clear from trouble yet.

Now he had, what he could only assume, was a confused and possibly, just possibly… a seething kunoichi in the next room.

Taking a deep inhale, Kakashi straightened his aching spine and turned, allowing his eyes to scan the tiny, mere 340 square foot, apartment. It was then that he recalled his forehead protector settled across his hairline, so he pulled it down over his Sharingan. As a result, the apartment furniture shifted ever so slightly to the right.

A couch sat in between his bedroom door and the front entrance with a short table before it. Near the door was inserted wooden shelving for guest's shoes but nothing occupied them save for the thin layer of dust. Even he never took the time to remove his sandals upon entering, not concerned that it was seen as a lack of respect for his space. He wasn't attached to it, therefore he cared very little whether shoes were worn or not.

The kitchen was small, only enough counterspace for a few dishes between the sink and stove. The singular dinette pressed beneath the window was plenty for the bachelor during the few meals he ate in home. Stepping to the thermostat near the fridge, he turned it on to chase the chill from the air, followed by setting the kettle on the stove to warm up water.

Tea would be a cordial offering for the woman. Surely, she would appreciate that.

Kakashi thought about checking on her, just to make sure she wasn't causing trouble, but decided against it. She had no weapons nor access to her chakra. And while it was true his back was sore from carrying her, it wasn't due to her being heavy. She was rather small in her frame. Only slightly taller than Sakura and around the same build. Much lighter than Naruto, anyway.

When the water reached a rolling boil, Kakashi pulled the kettle from the stove and drew some loose-leaf tea from the cabinet. Sniffing the dried leaves, satisfied they were still good, he fixed to prepare the offering before making his way to the room.

As Kakashi came around the corner of the doorframe, a mass of sable locks of the kneeling woman came to view. Her back was partially turned in his direction as she evaluated the bindings of her wrist. Ashen eyes traced the expert knots of the strings then glanced at the desk for likely any sharp objects within reach.

"You won't find anything to help you there," Kakashi interjected, causing her to startle.

The woman's sharp gaze landed on him, clear and focused. That was surprising considering she was drugged quite heavily. He expected her to show some signs of drowsiness or even a sensitivity to the bedroom light. Instead, she evaluated him steadily, letting her eyes roam over his form to his kunai pouch and landing on the cup of tea in his hand.

He waited for her to hurl the insults at him. Surely, she had a few choice words sitting at the edge of that sharp tongue, saved just for him. The best way to get past it was to let her get what she needed off her chest while he listened quietly. Not that he felt he didn't deserve it. Envisioning that he was in her position, let him see that she was valid to be upset.

But when she adverted her gaze to re-evaluate the room, he wondered if she was building up for the outburst.

"I must say… Konoha has really upgraded their prison cells."

The comment was delivered pragmatically. No hint of frustration or cynicism. Just a simple observation that opened room for dialogue. Kakashi was hesitant to trust she was taking the situation as well as she displayed. Still, he obliged with a response, if only to push a volatile reaction from her.

If she was going to rage at him, he'd rather she'd get it over with.

"It amazes me that you can still joke when you're being held captive against your will."

"It wasn't a joke," she countered, dragging her eyes back to his. "It was an observation."

That was all it was. Just a controlled retort that hinted little to what she was truly thinking. She either considered her situation as bleak as if Kakashi had turned her in, hence comparing the apartment to a prison cell, or she was hiding her sarcasm. Still, there was no anger or pointed blame. Just someone who was neither friend nor foe hiding what they were thinking.

Kakashi decided he wasn't fond of not having an accurate read on her. Especially when he was in the kitchen, he had clearly heard her curse him.

Uncivil cretin, thinks he can just tie me to a desk… Those had been her exact words.

If he hadn't heard it himself, he would have thought he imagined it by how indifferent she was acting now.

Suspicious of her motives, Kakashi stepped into the room and offered the warm cup in his hand.

"I assumed you'd be thirsty," he said simply as he reached her.

Akane's features were schooled, but not enough that Kakashi didn't catch the slight hesitancy in her movement to accept the cup.

"Is this drugged too?" Instead of waiting for his response, she took a sip of the warm liquid, never taking her eyes from his.

"If it was, you clearly aren't concerned." His own dryly, pointed observation.

The cup lowered a fraction as a tight smirk curled.

"I'll either sit here thirsty or get another nap out of it." Akane shrugged and took another sip. "But, if I'm being honest, I don't see why I'd be drugged again."

"Oh?" Curious, Kakashi tilted his head for her to continue her observation.

"Hmm," she hummed before she tried to put the cup on the desktop. When she couldn't manage that without the chance of the tea falling off the edge and spilling on her, she opted for setting it between her knees and the leg of the desk. "I'm obviously in Konoha. You got what you wanted. Why would I be drugged now?"

"Well," he offered, wondering how she would react if he indirectly laid out a threat, "as you observed, you're not in , I could drug you again in order to transport you to the Hokage tower."

"Then why didn't you do that to begin with?"

The way she steered the accusation at him had that familiar tinge of resentment in the tone. Just enough for him to recognize that she wasn't as indifferent to her situation as she let on. It was so slight, that even Kakashi wondered if he heard it.

Before he responded, he speculated what would happen if he admitted that she nearly woke up during the travels. That could be used as an excuse as to why he stopped at his apartment. Then again, it may keep her from freely sharing information that he wanted.

"Because," maybe the truth would get her to drop her guard, "I don't plan to turn you in."

"You're kidding," she scoffed, clearly not trusting his admittance. "You'd have me believe that you drugged me, snuck me into Konoha, broke a few laws in the process, all to let me go free?"

"I said I don't plan to turn you in. It wasn't a guarantee."

Her eyes narrowed, her true feelings starting to show through. But any harsh retort remained behind tight lips.

"Then why am I here?"

Wasn't it clear by now? He felt like a broken record repeating it. "I want to know the truth about Konoha."

He expected her to scoff or huff out some impatient response. Instead, she closed her eyes, picked up the cup of tea and took another sip. Obviously, she must have expected the answer. Better yet, new his response, but still pretended it was unreasonable to ask her for it.

After another languid drink, the woman revealed her ashen eyes from behind dark lashes. Her composure returned and now firmly in place.

"Listen, Sparky…Understand that I can't, in good conscious, tell you what I know."

The answer had a bite to it. Not because of her delivery or tone. Those were rather polite. It was the finality of it that closed off any continued conversation on the subject.

But Kakashi was not one to be deterred.

"While it may not set well with you, doing the right thing is usually uncomfortable."

Her composure remained, but a twitch of the corner of her lip said it was chipped by the comment. He decided to press on. Stepping deeper into his room, he took a seat on the edge of his bed and folded his hands together, propping his elbows on his knees.

"Whatever happened all those years ago—the person responsible is still out there and trying to keep it a secret. Innocent people are being silenced. That's unacceptable. You have to agree."

Her gaze dropped to the cup of tea in her bound hands. He wasn't sure if she was trying to tune him out or possible letting him say his piece before rejecting his offer. It wouldn't surprise him if the latter occurred. While he didn't know much of the woman before him, he did know that Nori, Akane was a guarded and stubborn woman. Still, Kakashi continued his effort to persuade her.

"It wasn't right what they did to Kyo," her eyes narrowed at her companion's name, "and they should be punished for it. You can't honestly tell me that you're willing to let the crimes go unanswered."

"Whose to say I'm not? Isn't it clear that I've moved on?"

"I don't believe that."

"Well, you should. Kyo was the last connection I had to this damn village. Now that he's gone, I can live my life the way I see fit."

Kakashi frowned, hoping that she didn't mean what she said. Still, he knew he needed to tread carefully.

"If that was the case… why did you seek out Uchiha, Itachi for answers about Konoha?"

Akane's façade faltered, her brows knitted and eyes narrowed, but after a sharp inhale through her nostrils, she recovered.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't disrespect me like that, Nori. I'm not stupid."

The silence swelled between them, growing tense the deeper the discussion went. Kakashi knew that Akane could continue to deflect or shut him down, but he just risked his career to sneak her in. She would not find it as easy to dissuade him as she thought. Kakashi didn't have guests, aside for the occasional unannounced visit from Gai, but that could be controlled. At least, enough so that Gai wouldn't notice the woman in his apartment. He just hoped it wouldn't come down to keeping her locked away for more than a day or two.

Kakashi was just in the middle of thinking how he would keep the woman hidden if time extended past a week when she exhaled, drooping her shoulders as the air left her.

"Look," she started, eyes firmly on his single onyx. "It's true that I was asking Itachi about the events, but I didn't get my answers…"

He had a feeling that 'no thanks to you' trailed at the end of the sentence.

"…. And what I do know isn't enough to enact any justice. Not to mention-if you haven't figured it out yet-learning what information I do have would only succeed in putting a target on your back."

"It wouldn't be the first time I've had a target on me."

"I'm willing to bet it'd be the first time this 'unknown enemy' would also be an ally." Akane tilted her head with a raised brow. "Makes it a little difficult to see who's holding the knife meant for you when you're surrounded by friends."

"…You make a valid point," Kakashi conceded, willing to let down his guard a fraction to show humility. It was a sly way to get her to mirror his actions. "Tell me something. If you did know who was responsible for the events," it was his turn to tilt his head, "what would you do?"

"I'd do what should've been done years ago. Kill them."

No hesitancy. Just stated as-matter-of-factly with little emotion. In a way, it felt marginally colder than if she grounded it out through clenched teeth.

"What's in it for you?" Akane asked suddenly, fixing him with a look that said she wouldn't be fooled by a simple answer. "You wouldn't be breaking so many laws on a missing-nin's word. And please don't say something cliché like 'it's the right thing to do' because I'll toss my cup right at your head."

"You probably shouldn't tell someone how you plan to attack them ahead of time."

She half shrugged. "You'd block it whether I told you or not."

Amused, he knew she deserved a truthful response. Not that he had anything to hide from it. "It bothers me to know that someone is harming citizens to cover up their secrets. I can't allow it to continue. And, on a selfish note, I'm incredibly curious about what I don't know."

A pregnant pause filled the room between them, each reflecting on their own motives and likely finding where there was overlap. As an afterthought, Kakashi decided to add something he had suspected for a while.

"You claim you didn't commit any crimes against Konoha… I assume you left after you became aware of the events that were happening. Had you known more beforehand and managed to kill them, would you have stayed or still become a missing-nin?"

Akane didn't respond and he wondered if she was just ignoring him as she had at the campfire. But after a closer look, he noticed how her lips pursed and how the gaze seemed distant. She was deep in thought, mulling over his questions and what would have likely changed if things had been different. After a long, drawn-out moment, Akane refocused on the room around and offered an explanation.

"I think that would depend on if they viewed the death, or deaths, as a martyr or not. If they were victimized, then I would have left… I don't know. Maybe I would've left even if they were exposed, and I was found innocent. It wasn't like I had much going for me here to begin with."

The small admittance was an unexpected glimpse into her life, prior to going on the run. He replayed the sentence again which began to sprout new questions about the woman before him. What was her life like before? Would they have worked together at any point had she stayed?

Before either could comment further, a knock at the door shattered any sense of civil calm. Both occupants zeroed in on the front door, before Akane tore her attention back to Kakashi with a vile glare.

"You lying piece of—" a gloved hand smothered the insult from leaving her mouth. Kakashi lifted a lone finger to his masked lips before standing.

Another knock wracked against the wooden door, and he knew that whoever it was wouldn't leave until Kakashi addressed them.

Just who would be at his apartment at this hour? Had someone seen him sneak in? Was it Gai wanting to challenge him to some evening battle of skill?

In the off chance that it was his insatiable rival, Kakashi closed the bedroom door, but not before offering the woman a reassuring nod.

If the glare she shot at him said anything, he guessed it was along the lines of 'eat shit'. He could feel her heated glare on his back, and he swore he started to sweat again.

I underestimated how intimidating she is….

But at least she kept quiet after seeing he was making an effort to keep her hidden. That had to count for something… Right?

When he finally reached the front door, he cracked it open and peered out. On his doorstep, was a familiar face, but not the jumper-wearing companion he originally suspected.

"Kotetsu…." Kakashi greeted with a smile, feeling his eye pinch in the corner. Why was he here? Did he dispel the genjutsu before they were out of sight? "What can I do for you?"

"Ah, hey, Kakashi." Kotetsu scratch the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I know it's late, but Izumo and I were debriefing the Hokage of our shift and of course mentioned your returned... Well, Lady Tsunade is calling on you now. I think she wants a debriefing on your assignment."

"Debrief?" Kakashi parroted. "At this time of night? I planned to stop by in the morning."

"Eh, I guess she's in a hurry. Must have a meeting or something tomorrow."

While it wasn't completely unheard of for her to call so soon after returning from a mission, it didn't happen often. If he had to guess, it may have had something to do with his return without his team. That was enough to rouse suspicion.

"… Right. Well, I'll head that way after I get a change of clothes on. Thanks for the message, Kotetsu."

"Sure. Have a good night."

Kakashi shut the door behind him and locked the latch. This was an earlier interruption than he hoped for. Best go back to Akane and see what sort of damage that caused between them.

As he opened the bedroom door to reveal the kunoichi, he was mildly relieved to see that the volatile glare was nonexistent, though there was a hefty amount of distrust aimed directly at him.

If looks could kill…

"I assume you heard," he offered as casually as he could.

"Hmm… You're going to speak with the Hokage…"

"About the mission," he confirmed, hands stuffing into his pocket.

"Right… and I was the cause of that mission."

"Were you?"

"According to you and your team, I was. Even though I stand by that it wasn't us causing the trouble. It'll be awkward when those reports start up again and you see for yourself you got the wrong people."

"Whatever the case is, you don't have anything to worry about. I don't plan to reveal anything about you."

"When you say 'anything'…"

"I mean that it'll reflect the same report as I gave to the Kazekage. That two of your team members were apprehended, one escaped, and the leader died by my Chidori."

Distrust was evident. "Why? Why would you lie?"

"Is it a lie?" Kakashi questioned wistfully. "That report did occur at the end of the mission. Anything after is a separate incident."

"Except for the part about my so-called death…."

"Were you ever alive? I don't see you in the Bingo Books…"

The look of astonished awe she fixed him with made it all worth it. The open gawk, stricken silence…

Kakashi was simply preening beneath his mask.

So much so that he took his leave (after activating a clone to watch after her) before the moment was ruined.

He won that round.

*)*)*)*)*)


"Lady Tsunade, Hatake-san is here," announced Shizune as her head peaked in the doorway to the office. Jiriaya and Tsunade looked up to the woman before the Hokage ushered a wave.

"Thank you. Bring him in."

"Hai." Her head disappeared behind the door momentarily before Kakashi walked in with his hands stuffed in his pockets in every way his usual collected self.

"Yo," he greeted, earning a pointy grin from Jiriaya.

"Where's the runt at?"

The flash of Akane came and left his mind, but he knew they wouldn't have known that she was here. They very well didn't know she existed… or so he hoped.

"Naruto was with Sakura and Sai in Suna. They should be here by tomorrow."

"You just left them?" Tsunade asked skeptically with a raise of her brow.

"Of course not. They were catching up with Gaara and Kankuro. I believe Temari was going to be back from a mission yesterday," he explained briefly before moving ahead. "Did you want me to fill the report now for the mission?"

Tsunade leaned back in her chair and folded her fingers together under her chin- a sign that she was reluctantly to move on. Kakashi was hesitant to see if there was more to his visit so late at night, but kept his expression relaxed.

Finally, the Hokage spoke. "Yes. A debriefing would be appreciated."

She sat up a little straighter and grabbed a pen to begin filling the information in as he spoke. Sensing that there was something else after her hesitancy, Kakashi obliged, hoping that his suspicions were just that.

He explained the information that Gaara gave to the group about how teams would return injured with few to no details on the attackers. How other villages had experienced the same issues and suggested to wait it out. In due time, the troublesome team would likely move on and be out of their hair. Of course, that wasn't an option for Gaara and rightfully so.

The events in the canyon, followed by the next day's events, were described in greater detail. From the interruption in the early hours of the morning, to the traps and river attack, until the hopeless rescue attempt by the leader of the team later that night.

At this point, Tsunade pointed out that it wasn't hopeless if the leader managed to get one of her members away. Kakashi conceded that she made a point but considering the kid was the least valuable member, it didn't help their cause in the end. The boy escaped, the two were arrested, and the woman was likely dead by his final attack.

"Likely?"

"Hm. Her summoning took her away before anything was certain, but Sakura and I are convinced she wouldn't have survived if she didn't find a medic."

Not necessarily a lie, nor the entire truth.

After Tsunade didn't have anything else to add, Kakashi extended his brief by explaining the leader wore a mask that he took before she was taken away and wasn't in the Bingo Books. During a private meeting with Gaara, after his team left with Kankuro, a messenger came with news of Akatsuki outside the village. He then volunteered to confront Akatsuki to buy time for Gaara to pull a team together.

Tsunade had more questions about that.

He answered them to the best of his ability, but he found that he was lying a little more as the recap continued. Afterall, he never got the information from Itachi about where they were heading or what mission they were on. Not that they would freely get that from the enemy, but occasionally a fight would yield to some information being loosened from their lips. Therefore, Kakashi repeated that he only tried to buy time for Gaara's reinforcements to arrive.

In the end, it wasn't enough to keep the pair of Akatsuki engaged. They left and he had no way to follow without putting himself in unnecessary risk. All he knew was they were heading through the sands, not toward Suna.

When he finally finished, Tsunade seemed perplexed. More so than he found reasonable for her to be. It wasn't just Kakashi that seemed to pick up on it, but Jiraya as well.

"Tsunade," Jiraya called, breaking her musings. She directed her attention to him and waited for him to say what he needed to. "It sounds like a coincidence that Akatsuki were just passing through. But if you feel differently, now's the time to bring it up."

At that, Kakashi tilted his head, realizing that there was something indeed that troubled his leader. But he kept the concern to himself, knowing that if they wanted him to know, they would tell him.

Instead, he kept his question aimed at the topic at hand, but allowed room for them to change the topic.

"Should I clarify on anything further with the mission details?"

Again, Tsunade was reluctant to answer, which only added to Kakashi's unease. Taking the lull in conversation, he split his focus to that of his clone, sensing that all was calm in the apartment. A slight relief. But only slight.

"Well, Kakashi. I appreciate your brief and it sounds like you handled the mission nicely."

"Yet, you seemed troubled," Kakashi observed respectfully.

"Troubled is putting it lightly," she muttered, more to herself. She leaned back into her chair, slouching her shoulders as if a weight was baring down. "I didn't call you here for a simple debrief, Kakashi. There's actually something that's more urgent. Konoha and Naruto are in more danger, and I can't think of any other options to go about this."

"You didn't think of this-I did," Jiriaya interrupted but was silenced by a heated glare.

"As I was saying, this mission is…"

Kakashi furrowed his brows and shifted his weight to show he was listening. He wasn't sure if he liked where this was going.

"Dangerous, extreme, and most likely will cost you your life."

"Don't all missions?" Kakashi said to lighten the mood. It was clear that the distress Hokage was on edge and finding this very hard to cope with. It made him all that more nervous as to what the mission was…. Alas, his attempt at hiding his unease behind lightened humor backfired.

"I didn't call you here to makes jokes, Hatake!"

"Right… Forgive me."

Tsunade sighed and looked apologetically to him; not intending to snap. She almost looked guilty.

"It's beyond any other mission I've asked of you, or anyone for that matter. And I say this now, it's a proposal for you to fulfill the role, but not an order. Should I continue?"

Kakashi nodded, half out of curiosity, half out of robotic reflex, always ready to take on the next assignment.

Tsunade heaved a sigh. "In short you will be behind enemy lines and there will be no back up. There won't be anyone to turn to if you get caught. You'll be on your own if you take this mission."

Kakashi's apprehension was only swelling. A sickening keenness that began to increase his heart rate and deepen his breathing. "How long will this be?"

The color seemed to be draining from the woman's face as the conversation continued, but she did well to keep any deeper feelings hidden behind a firm expression. As if sensing her façade was slipping, Tsunade leaned her elbows against the desktop and interlaced her fingers in front of her mouth. With a firm nod from Jiriaya to continue that was what she did.

"The mission will be until we eliminate the problem and Konoha and Naruto are safe… but your mission won't end there. If- that's if-you survive then you cannot…. Will not be able to return to Konohagakura."

Kakashi's cold stare turned to stone, and he looked to Jiriaya who watched the white-haired ninja inquisitively. They let it settle over them for a moment—letting it sink in and stain the air that grew thick between them. The details were overwhelming, and Kakashi could feel the thoughts scrambling and filling his mind to the rim. But only one logical thought came to mind.

"Is there another war coming?"

"Eventually," Tsuande answered quietly. "I don't know how far off it is in the future, but it will happen. That's why we need to act now on this."

"… I understand."

"…. We can give you the night to think about it," Jiriaya intervened. "But we can't waste too much time on this."

"No," he said firmly, but his instincts warned him to wait. That he was rushing into the mission without considering the consequences for himself. "If I didn't take the assignment then would there be someone else who would?"

Always someone else, but not yourself… the instincts chided. But Kakashi was unyielding to the reprimand. He would give his life it meant to save another. No hesitation.

"Yes. We need this to be as successful as possible and you were the first to come to mind." Tsunade leaned forward a little more, dropping her fingers from her mouth and opted to rest her chin on her knuckles. "If you have even the slightest of uncertainty or hesitation, I don't want you to feel forced into it. No one will think badly of you if you turn it down. It's your life and your choice."

"With all due respect, I couldn't live with myself if I refused to help Naruto and Konoha because of selfishness; even worse if I knew someone else was going to give up a family to serve." Taking a deep breath and a small glance to the window looking out to Konoha, he sighed. The moon was lifting higher over the tree tops as soft rolling clouds moved in. Such a beautiful evening during such a depression report. "I would be proud to take this mission."

Hot tears tried to push through Tsunade's eye lashes; one tear lingering at the rim before disappearing onto the back of her hand. "Are you sure?"

All she received was a firm nod. Despite his bravado to do what was right, Kakashi felt depleted. His life was about to change. This sounded like a suicide mission…

"Alright. I'm guessing you want to know what you have to do then…"

Standing up she opened her top drawer and pulled out a handful of files before walking to the front of her desk to spread them out. Finding the one she needed, she turned to face Kakashi and Jiriaya.

"I don't think I need to tell you this is top-secret and that only the three of us can know of the truth?"

It wasn't a true question, he knew that. But he confirmed, nonetheless.

"Yes, understood."

Satisfied, Tsunade handed him the file. Removing his hands from his pockets, Kakashi took it and opened to see it was a report on the Akatsuki organization.

"The goal is to get you into Akatsuki."

Kakashi's head jerked up with his dark eye wide.

"Yes, you heard right. You'll become a missing-nin with rumors of your betrayal to Konoha. The organization collects rogue shinobi who have unique and high-ranking value. You have the skill for it, and the Sharingan."

"Yes, but as far as uniqueness goes, they already have a Sharingan user in their ranks."

"That's true, but you also have a reputation. Not only have you interfered with their missions, but you have ANBU experience which brings with it a sense of ruthlessness. You get the job done, no matter what. And your reputation as the Copy-Cat only helps when you have a thousand jutsus at your disposal. Do you follow so far?"

"Yes."

"Good. Obviously, as a missing-nin you'll be hunted by Konoha forces and treated as a traitor-"

"The only ones who know about this is the three of us," Jiriaya reminded. "Team 7 cannot be aware of it."

Tsunade nodded in agreement before continuing. "I don't expect you to get in right away. I'm sure that once they hear about your mutiny then they'll keep an eye on you. Between the time you're a missing-nin and you become an Akatsuki, there'll be absolutely no contact between us. We have to make this as believable as possible."

"It's obvious that I'm very loyal to the Village, so how do you expect them to believe me?"

"We'll think of a nice little lie," Jiriaya said shortly.

"I wouldn't say 'little'. It has to be something that's believable. We can't have any holes in this plan," the Hokage continued. "But we'll come to that in a moment. Your main target," she said while taking another folder out of the pile and handing it to Kakashi, "is Uchiha Madara. He is said to be alive and well… Keeping to his plans of revenge."

"What? But-How-"

"We don't know how he's still alive. All that is known is that he's a threat and plans to burn Konoha."

Kakashi took it all in. It was a wonder how such a day could go from bad to good just to plummet to worse. His mind was spinning, and his stress level was high… skyrocketed to the point that it seemed almost non-existent.

"So, I will permanently stay as a missing-nin… How do you expect to take Madara down exactly? Not only will we have him to worry about but also Akatsuki."

It was Jiriaya's turn to fill in the blanks for Kakashi.

"When I was staking out Amegakure, I saw the interaction between Pein and Madara. I got the impression that Pein wasn't a partner but a pawn. I could very well be wrong." Jiriaya shrugged. "Perhaps, Madara has his head so far up his ass that he talks down to everyone."

At this Tsunade smiled softly. "If there are hard feelings between any of them then you know how to exploit that and use it to our advantage. But for now, let's just keep it at you retrieving information about what is going on before we decide anything."

"Right." Kakashi started to compartmentalize the information he was given into more manageable sections. "I'll become a missing-nin, get into Akatsuki, and start feeding information to you."

"Yes." Tsunade crossed her arms and fixed him with a stern gaze. "But, please understand that whatever you do share, we will likely not respond. It's already risky with you sending information out of their ranks. If someone finds out we're communicating back or if they intercept a response…"

"Let's avoid my death for as long as possible. I understand."

"Obviously, there won't be any schedule that we'll be expecting from you. Just whatever you find and can safely send out."

"Right… and if there's something that can be done on the inside, I have the freedom to make that decision as I see fit?"

"You do. I want you to not think of this as a mission. This is your new life with the purpose of stealing knowledge to help Konoha and Naruto."

A thick blanket of silence was started to settle uncomfortably around them, but Jiriaya was not having it.

"So, that leaves the problem about your mutiny," Jiriaya smiled in a weak attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

Kakashi forced a grin that was obvious to the two other occupants.

"Don't worry," Jiriaya continued and gripped his shoulder tightly. "I'll give you updates on Naruto and Sakura whenever I'm out of the village. It'll be easier to communicate that way than if Tsunade sends a message to you. Maybe we can coincidentally meet at a bath house," he smiled while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Inspiration for your books?"

"Of course!"

"Men," Tsunade murmured under her breath as she watched them.

Kakashi pondered for a few seconds. "That could work. Afterall, I'd be considered a criminal…"

"Meaning what exactly?" she asked.

Kakashi turned with an eye crinkle. "Women love the bad boy."

Tsunade's eyebrow twitched irritably while Jiriaya barked in laughter.

"Yup! You've got to look on the bright side!"

"Stop encouraging him!"

"We're just joking!" Jiriaya said in defense.

Kakashi relaxed a little as the dreary mood lifted enough for him to get a bearing on things.

"Alright-back to the point," she sat down on the front of her desk and pulled out a note pad and pen. "What kind of crime would you like to commit?"

"Being too damn sexy!" Jiriaya grinned cheekily.

"First of all-Jiriaya- we are talking about Kakashi here and secondly-even if we weren't, then we'd have to make up something realistic."

Kakashi grinned while Jiriaya's grin disintegrated to a look of hurt. "You wound me."

"Not yet I haven't."

"What about…. having you steal a valuable scroll from Tsunade?"

"That wouldn't get Akatsuki's attention," Kakashi commented.

"Or be believable," Tsunade grumbled.

"Then you attacked the Council."

"What reason would I have to do that? It's not like they did something that would make me want to kill…."

Suddenly Kakashi blinked…

No, that was stupid.

Was it though?

He could feel the Sannins' eyes evaluating him, but his mind was elsewhere, working through the subject that suddenly flooded out any other thoughts.

Had the Gods really blessed him that day? It was like a missing puzzle piece that fit in the final slot and giving a view of a larger picture. Not only was it believable—and true—but Itachi and Kisame would be able to back it up to an extent…. It was more than treason and he very well could pull it off with the subject having a voice as proof.

"Kakashi…Kakashi!" Tsunade called.

Blinking again, he looked to Tsunade and Jiriaya's worried glances. "What was that?"

"We were wondering what you thought about breaking a Konoha law on a mission to help Naruto and Sakura."

Ouch-low blow…

That would be effective in more ways than one seeing as his father had done the same… He sighed as he thought it over.

"Actually, I have a different idea… Something that can be backed up by two of the Akatsuki members."

Both Sannin eagerly leaned in to listen. Their attention was instantly suffocating him, and he tried to no shift his weight under the pressure.

"You see, I sort of allowed a…" he cleared his throat. "More like, snuck in a high ranked… missing-nin into Konoha…"

He waited for a reaction and wasn't disappointed.

"What?!"

"It's a long story, but it starts with this last mission in Suna," he started as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

From there, he explained how the woman was taken away by her summoning, thought to be dead. That part was true, at least until he stumbled upon her again in the desert… with Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame present. He explained the interactions, leading up to the present, and not forgetting to explain the brief encounter with the Izumo and Kotetsu who were put under a genjutsu by his clone.

When he finished, an unnatural silence filled the air immediately. The ticking from clock on the wall was all that was heard before Tsunade sighed and crossed her arms.

"What were you thinking?-She could be a spy or try to kill someone or… the possibilities are endless!" she yelled while throwing her arms up.

"During our fights, she mentioned a few things about Konoha. Something that made her a target by someone involved in covering up an event and killing anyone who may be aware of it. I was trying to find out what she knew."

"We have people who extract that sort of information, Kakashi. Ibiki is plenty capable of dealing with her."

"That is true but according to her, she never committed a crime against Konoha—"

"She's a missing-nin! She's probably lying!"

"Even if she was lying," Kakashi continued, keeping his tone as unimposing as possible, "she isn't in the Bingo Books. If there was a crime she committed, wouldn't we know about it?"

Tsunade frowned, but a look of understanding was clear. She knew he had a point and validated his suspicions that something was being covered up. "Where is she now?"

"In my apartment. I have a clone watching her, so she doesn't try to escape."

"Or harm someone..."

Kakashi offered a reassuring smile, "She's more concerned with getting away from Konoha than stirring more trouble."

Jiriaya who had been quiet the whole time finally spoke and pushed off the wall he was leaning on throughout the story.

"This would work. It's enough for you to leave the village and be hunted." He turned to the fuming blonde. "This is actually what we were looking for."

Sighing-not in any relief-but to remember to breathe, she glared. "That was a reckless move, Kakashi. One that you rarely make."

"But I do make them," he corrected.

"As true as that is, it won't be as effective unless we get the woman to join along."

Kakashi couldn't help when his gaze drifted away. Bringing a hand to the back of his neck once more, he admitted, "That may not be as easy as it sounds."

"What do we know about her?"

"Hardly anything. Her name is Nori, Akane," Kakashi offered weakly.

"A name's a start." Tsunade turned to the cabinets and bookshelf on the wall behind her desk and set to work on finding the woman's file. "If we can get some information on her, then we can have a better idea of how to approach the situation."

Kakashi could only hope that was the case. He did know one other thing about her. She wasn't easy to deal with.

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Hello! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and where this adventure is heading to! I don't think I mentioned it in the previous chapters, but this is being written as if in an au, so some things will reflect the canon events and others will be different.

Feel free to let me know what you think or if you have any constructive criticism. Thanks!