~12~

Sai was back bowing on one knee before Danzo after just three days on mission.

"I see you finished ahead of schedule," Danzo said as he read the report that Sai prepared for him. "You may go back to your quarters. You will be briefed on your next assignment by tomorrow morning."

"Hai," Sai said then quickly left.

Danzo recalled the time Tsunade requested audience and appealed to see Sai. "I'll give it around a week and a half," he thought. "Then I'll inform them that he has not returned and most likely died in the line of duty. That should end this business."

It was a plausible plan. Sai's missions were always outside the Fire Country. A death of a shinobi was not an uncommon thing. Even if by a slim chance he got spotted anywhere by his village friends, he would opt to disappear immediately rather than make contact with people he did not know. Besides, a Root Anbu never gets spotted by chance, this Danzo was confident in.

In his chamber, Sai figured he had 4 hours before he would get summoned again for the new mission. He knew he should catch some needed sleep but he found himself seated in front of his small desk. He unrolled a scroll and drew one of his scout mice with black ink. He formed his hand seal and uttered "Ninpo choju giga." The mouse came to life and stared at him.

*He had used this technique numerous times for scouting or hunting down the whereabouts of his targets. The mice would spring out of his scroll and knew immediately what to do in obedience to his will.* Tonight, however, the little mouse didn't know where to go. "It's okay," Sai said and reaching across he petted the creature. "I just wanted some company." The mouse kept still, wiggled its black nose and let its head get stroked.

The heavy feeling in his chest confused him. Was it because a fellow Anbu was killed during the mission he just finished? The casualty was also masked but he was certain he worked with the man before on at least two or three occasions in the past. They never saw each other's faces but Sai's keen sense of observation enabled him to identify his fellow Anbu by physical features other than the face.

He had witnessed many a shinobi killed during his missions, a lot of them with chances to survive if they were taken back to the village and treated. But an injured Root shinobi didn't have that option. Though he was conditioned to repress his emotions, he still preferred to work alone rather than see a fellow shinobi killed.

"The mission must be completed at all cost. Anyone that lags behind is left behind," he recited aloud. He didn't feel any better. He let the mouse evaporate, deciding it was a waste of chakra. He had a new mission in the morning and must therefore recover his strength. He lay on the bed and slept.

~13~

Tsunade's eye was twitching with annoyance. "Why must I deal with you people this time?" she growled. "And you again," she pointed at Naruto who merely pouted.

"Shikamaru, what made you think you can lead this bunch so easily into Root Headquarters?"

"I knew it wouldn't be easy but it was worth a try," Shikamaru shrugged.

And you, Neji, you're already a jounin and you go along with such juvenile tactics."

"My apologies," Neji said but he wasn't really sorry and he showed it.

Shino and Hinata were also in the line up. Two Root Anbu waited by the exit.

"How many times must I tell you," Tsunade began, "Sai has been recalled to Root. He's already on active mission. He has no time to meet you at the moment. Danzo-san promised he will send Sai over as soon as he comes back."

Hinata fidgeted and looked at the others. Tsunade glowered at them one by one. "Since you all seem to have so much time on your hands, I have just the mission to keep you busy for a few days."

The group waited as Tsunade took out a sheet of paper from her desk drawer. Then she said "The Feudal Lord's - "

"Whoa! Feudal Lord?" Naruto interjected. "It must be an A-rank mission then, eh! I'm getting pumped up!"

"SHUT UP!" Tsunade roared. The others, excluding Hinata, glared at Naruto.

Tsunade scanned the sheet again. "The Feudal Lord's wife Madam Shijimi's cat Tora-chan ran away again. Go find it." Everyone's jaw dropped.

"Get Konohamaru to find it. We're not twelve anymore, you know!" Naruto protested.

"Did we just get demoted?" Shino asked.

"Looks like it," Shikamaru replied. "Except for Naruto, he's always been a genin."

"Hokage-sama, is there any other mission you can use us for?" Neji asked feeling desperate.

"None," was Tsunade's curt reply. "The jounins are handling the high-rank missions right now except you, Neji, since you happen to be here and managed to get into trouble. D-rank ones are the only ones available for you."

Neji's head slumped. The next few days would be extremely embarrassing.

"After you find Tora-chan, there are a few baby-sitting and seed-planting requests from other clients, is that clear?" Tsunade barked, and facing the two Root Anbu by the door she said, "Please extend my apologies to Danzo-san. I will keep an eye on this bunch."

The anbu nodded and disappeared. Tsunade was left with five young ninjas who wished the floor would swallow them up. She turned her back and faced the window. "Well," she said. "Did you find out anything?" she asked. Shikamaru concealed a grin. "I knew it."

Continue to Part 14