I glanced around the room. To my discomfort, nobody was saying anything.

The worm infested fur ball was still nestled in my lap, asleep.

After a few more silent minutes, Kou spoke up. "So, where is it?" He asked casually.

"Where what is?"

"Don't play dumb, where is Feathertop?" Takeshi growled.

My brows furrowed at his anger, "Why would you want to know?"

Takeshi scoffed, "because I want to know more. After all this time I've known you, you failed to mention anything about your nightmare of a past! Suddenly, Kei asks for some stories and you unload on all of this?"

Taken back, my mouth hangs open in shock.

"Whoa, whoa. Let's just calm down." Kou raised his arms in attempt to signal, 'we're all friend's here'.

I ignored Kou's protest. "Listen, I try and avoid anything that deals with Konoha, especially my memories of it. And I don't need anybody to share my guilt or my regrets with." I said, finally getting over my daze.

"Stop trying to act tough! You obviously want to tell us, I mean, you described every detail about how you felt and what you saw. You wanted us to get the clearest picture of what happened in our mind." Takeshi paused to catch his breath, "don't you trust us enough to finally let down your guard?" Takeshi's voice thundered throughout the house.

I felt a sting behind my eyes. "I've heard enough. This conversation is over." My voice sounded low and irritated. I rose up from my chair to leave, causing the feline to roll off of my lap. Before I could take a step forward, Kiyoshi and Yoshi were gripping my feet.

"Ch~ief?" Yoshi voice was groggily from lack of sleep.

"Hey," I cooed, "did we wake you up? Let me take you guys up to bed." Despite wanting to punch someone, I lifted the two children into my arms with great care.

Not a word of protest was uttered from Takeshi or Kou as I disappeared up the stairs.

After reassuring the two boys that Takeshi and I weren't fighting, I tucked them in for bed.

I trudged into my room and closed my door quietly. Truthfully speaking, I actually wanted to slam it shut and break the thing down. But, that would only show Takeshi that he was right and that he had won the argument. No, I don't want him to know that.

The door supported me as I leaned against it and slowly slid to the ground. My palms found their way to my eyes as I tried to push back the tears that filled up in my eyes.

Everything he said - he practically read me like a fucking book.

I sniffed and clogged my nose with mucus.

Lies, lies, and a little truth thrown in. No one can stop anyone from lying. It's just your choice to decide whether or not to trust their word. You'll never know if they are telling the truth or not unless they admit it. Even then, you'll have to decide to take their word for it.

What was the saying? Ignorance is bliss? Well, I kept them ignorant and everything was bliss.

It's true, though. I want to tell them everything and finally expose my inner burden that I've been carrying. So far, telling them my past hasn't made me feel any better. But, that's all it is - the past. Something that shouldn't matter anymore.

I wiped my tear stains and stood up.

One way or another, Takeshi will have to get over it.

My feet softly thumped against the wooden floors.

I got over it - my ignorance.

A squeak escaped the boards beneath my toes.

I've accepted that I'll not always be told the truth. That I'll be shoved in the corner on some things.

Kneeling down, my hands lifted up a loose floor board. The rectangular, pitch-black space was instantly illuminated by the full moon light. A single, slim, shining feather of different colors glowed in the dark.

But, that won't ever hold me back. I refuse to be pinned down by a memory.

"Heard some yelling last night," Kei commented from across the table.

I raised my eyebrow, "and?"

Kei hesitantly smiled, "and nothing." After a few seconds of scribbling he continued, "I just hope it doesn't get in the way."

"It won't. It wasn't anything major," I reassured him. I drummed my fingers against the table. "Is it done yet?"

"No."

I sighed and rested my chin on the palm of my hand. I watched him jot down notes as he shifted his glasses. "You need new ones."

Kei peered up at me, "Maybe I could buy a new pair with the money we get from this raid."

"And we could get a juicebox!" Kiyoshi came bounding into the kitchen with Yoshi quietly trailing him.

A smile spread across my face. "Do you mean a jukebox?"

"Yes!"

I don't know where he heard of a jukebox. "We'll see," I said. "If this all goes according to plan." I thought about the last time I heard music. The sound of cicadas was the only tune that rang a melody out here.

Kei nodded and tore off his glasses to set them down on the table. He leaned back in his chair and raised his arms to support his head. "It's done. We'll be leaving tonight."

My mind suddenly wondered if this idea of mine backfires. I only think this because of the distracting object in my pink locks. The brightly colored feather was tucked in my hair, tied down so it won't escape.

Feathertop was no longer occupying Ouji-San's hat. The hat was far to ugly and worn out to be brought here. No, this feather was elegant and perfect for showing off.

The door to the main room opens and closes. I peek over the many heads that are in the room to peer at the new guests. It's neither Takeshi or Kei.

I start to feel anxious and sweaty. My eyes move left to right in quick motions. Nothing is happening. Why is nothing happening? Where are they? Until they decide to act, I'm a sitting duck.

A stranger twirls me in a circle before bringing me close to his chest.

"You seem stressed, m'lady. Please, enjoy the dance."

I fight the frown and manage a smile, "I apologize. I am waiting for someone."

He dips me and as I'm upside down, I look around the room.

"A lucky man," he smirks as he pulls me back up.

It was a joke - infiltrating the party. They practically held the doors open for me as I slipped through. It was too easy, which doesn't sit well with me. Apart of me wants to bolt from the room and forget this whole raid. Another part says wait for them, they won't bail on me.

The countless doubts fill my mind until I'm not aware of my surroundings. I snapped out of my stupor when I accidentally stepped on the stranger's foot.

He muffed a cry of pain, but didn't hesitate dropping his grip on my waist.

"Oh, geez. Are you alright?" I wanted to roll my eyes, but instead acted worried for the well-being of his toes.

He nodded and regained his composure. "M'lady, you concern me. Would you like for me to buy you a drink?" He gestured over to the long table with red wine and entrees.

My eyes glued to the alcohol, "Don't be silly. I'm fine." I shouldn't drink during a mission.

"Nonsense, it's on me." The man held me by the wrist and led me over to some hors d'oeuvres.

For a slip of a second, I relaxed in his grip. "Wow, everything is so fancy."

He poured two glasses and handed one to me, "Cheers."

The sound of two glasses connecting was like a little bell going off in my head. "Cheers," I muttered. I shouldn't, but what the hell? It's to blend into the crowd. Not to mention my tolerance rivals that of a God.

I sipped my drink.

"How does it taste, Sakura-San?"

What could only happen in the worst case scenario, was now happening. The world tilted slightly and I had to stand up straight to avoid falling to the ground. When I looked at the stranger's face it was crystal clear, but black spots started to dot his shiny face.

"Who are you?" My voice sounded like it was heard from a distance. "What did you do to me?" I dared to look around the room. People were still talking and chatting, not a second glance in our direction. The colors of the dresses and gowns the women wore looked smudged and smeared across my vision.

"Nice and quietly, I want you to take my arm. I'll lead you out."

I watched him hold out his hand for me to take. I slapped it away with one quick movement.

Without looking back, I ran deeper into the mansion. The memory of the blue prints Kei laid out on the table were still fresh in my mind. The black spots grew bigger, but I could still make out the stairs that descended into the basement.

That man obviously drugged me. Takeshi and Kei were absent. I can only connect the two together and assume the stranger did something to my teammates. They must be aware of the thousands of dollars in the cellar, just beneath our dancing feet.

I jumped down the staircase and toppled over as soon as my feet hit the ground. A wall collided with my face causing me to lean against it. I almost blacked out, but after a few deep breaths I built up enough strength to keep moving.

I began to wonder how I could make it back up those stairs. I rid myself of the thought, instead kept moving one foot in front of the other. Just a few more corridors.

I ran through rooms, opened doors, and fell down staircases until I met with the single white painted door at the end of the hallway.

I held my hand against the fancy wallpaper for support as I tripped over my own feet. I reached out and grabbed the knob and opened the door.

The room was empty, it was barren. Except for a tall man with a cloak draped around his shoulders.

I felt my conscious slipping and I fought to keep my eyes opened.

A dark figure loomed over me. "I'm impressed. You lasted a very long time, Sakura. Go to sleep now, everything is alright."

If I had any strength left in my jaw, I would curse and swear at the man. The money, the thrill I sought for by thieving, the cooperation of my team. I didn't understand where it had gone.

At that single thought, my knees buckled and I slumped against the floor.