To all souls that actually read this, sorry for not updating so long xD

I had fun while making the cover so I thank the whoever made gothic puzzle collection and gave me idea for a dress (yes I realise it's not from mediaeval time but I couldn't resist :D )

* Haruno palace, 11:50 pm

Peace and silence reigned the palace. Everyone were in deep slumber, aside from one person that is. She was standing barefoot in the shadows of a staircase waiting for midnight. Tension that had her jump at every sound was wearing off, though bits of fear still lingered around. She knew what would happen if they caught her standing there in the middle of the night but she couldn't beat her curiosity.

Her curiosity developed at early age. She was the only child. And when left alone, which happened often, was bored to death. That left her with one choice- exploring the palace. When she discovered first secret passageway, that came in handy because she had to escape from a nagging babysitter, she ought to find another one.

One of passages Sakura found was the one under the said staircase. It led to a restricted section of the library where her father held most of his ANBU related documents. No need to say they were confidential. Kizashi liked to call it his ''secret'' archive. Like many other she discovered it accidentally.

Several months ago she wandered in the restricted section. ANBU were changing shift so no-one noticed her around. She was reading a book that was about alchemy and it repelled and fascinated her at the same time. When ANBU came she started to panic because she knew if they caught her she was done for. She left the book and went towards the rows that were poorly lit. Stooped in front of them thinking ANBU left in other direction. Then they started to talk and she realised they only had to turn the corner to see her. She darted in one row and could only pray they didn't hear her.

Sakura liked to remember her father as person he used to be. Caring, loving, relaxed and funny. However, after her mother's death he became hard, demanding and ruthless. He was more an ANBU Captain than Sakura's father so she had no doubt that if caught she would be treated the same way as any other offender. And she was right. She never found out why, but guessed well that it had something to do with her mother's death.

Sakura was hiding near the end of the row.

Since bookshelves had been mounted into the walls they provided enough shadow for anyone to hide but, if someone were to look they would spot them right away and there would be no chance of escape.

Two men passed by. They were talking about some meeting with Captains that is held in the archive. By standard ANBU uniforms they wore Sakura concluded they were Trackers. If there was two of them there had to be two cells patrolling around, she concluded. When she was certain they left she allowed herself to heave a deep sigh of relief. And that was a big mistake. Sakura forgot about the rest of the cell that was sure to follow after.

'Who's there?' she froze at question but snapped out of as footsteps got louder and she had nowhere to escape. 'Curses ' she thought. In the last desperate attempt to save herself she sidestepped to the left and leaned onto a wall in hopes that she'll blend in. Before she even remembered to scream she felt the wall behind her disappear and found herself in complete darkness. When she came to her senses she realised she was on the other side of the wall. It was just one other passage. 'And in right time.' she murmured to herself and went, better yet crawled, along the passage. To her it seemed that she was crawling for hours but it really lasted a minute. When she got to the other side she was right under the Clock staircase in front of the library.

Some would argue that standing anywhere for 1o minutes isn't that long but it greatly depends on point of the view. And from Sakura's point it felt like eternity. She almost fell asleep but the clock striking midnight had her wide awake. She had to act fast or else she wouldn't be able to get in until 03:00 am. But that was quite a gamble. If she did she wouldn't know when shift ends because there was no schedule after that hour and trying to get out of the library while there's 2 cells patrolling wasn't her cup of tea.

While we're at it she went through hell and back just to get the shift schedule. ' Who's the idiot that suggested to make sifts at different time every day?' she wondered. Her inner sweat-dropped at the question. ' I don't know if it's rhetorical but opportunity is too good to pass...it was you.'Sakura thought about it for a minute and answered. ' Oh, now I remember. It was some time after I stumbled upon the passage. And people say you're an intelligent one. Like you wouldn't do it. N-. Aa don't even start with me at very least I wasn't the one screaming ''gaahh this wont work, they'll throw us in the dungeon besides it seemed like a great idea at the time ' she concluded and pressed her body hard on the stone wall.

After Sakura's visit to the restricted section Kizashi started an investigation concerning intruder in the library. During one week he interrogated every person in his ANBU cell, and confirmed none of them had anything to do with the 'incident ', and half of servants in the place. Sakura knew that family members will be next so in order to get herself off of the list of suspects she suggested new shift system which would 'most definitely ' allow Kizashi to catch the responsible in action. He was delighted and claimed that she would be great asset to some ANBU unit if she wasn't meant to marry that is. She was relieved, missed his words and thought she'll never have to go in that section again.

* Border with Oto, midnight

Near the edge of forest clearing stood one small cottage. It was made of pine-wood and blended perfectly in the forest background because it was painted with different shades of green and brown. In front were 3 barely visible stairs that led to a porch. Oak planks tied together served as door that had ridiculously small windows on each side.

Inside was comfortable and it made you feel like you're at home. Cottage consisted of one room that was divided in parts. In the middle stood a fireplace. It gave off vivid, orange flames that looked as if they were dancing. On the right were cupboards and shelves of all sizes filled, from top to bottom, with all kinds of herbs and a counter with proper tools. On the left was bed made of oak, with straw mattress and simple linen sheet, by which was a table with chairs on each side.

Two chairs were occupied. Man and woman sat across each other. Woman had light blond hair tied in two lose pigtails that fell on her back and brilliant hazel eyes. Most memorable feature was square-shaped tattooed diamond in the middle of her forehead. She wore simple white blouse, light brown bodice and skirt. On the first look you wouldn't say that she's older than thirty.

Man wore cloak with a hood that covered half of his face. You could only see few strands of ebony hair sticking out of it. By seriousness that was visible on woman's face they were discussing something of great importance.

Tense silence lasted for few moments before woman finally spoke. 'I know you came hoping I- the greatest Healer across Five Great Territories ' uttered words dripped with sarcasm and bitterness '-can help you. At least for the sake of an old friendship. But sadly I have to inform you that even I can't do a thing. Your illness is a rare blood disease that even I can't cure.' Man was shocked. In one moment he was expecting help from the woman he had known since he was a child and in the next she was saying he was dying. Woman suddenly stood up and man followed. That was sign for him to leave. They just nodded at each other and she showed him to the door.

She was standing at the door long after the man left. While she gazed at the sky her eyes were filled with anger, regret, remorse and lastly never-ending sadness. She broke her gaze and before she went in she uttered to the night. 'I'm sorry but someone has to pay...for everything.'

* Konoha's outer wall, midnight

Group of seven was standing on a meadow near a wall. The wall that only a day ago looked impenetrable in that moment had a gaping hole in place of its watch tower. Debris were scattered all over the meadow. The group was arguing until a man spoke and everything went silent.

'Enough! Stop acting like bunch of brats and listen to what man has to say!' the man said in a voice that rang with authority. It would be pleasant if it weren't for a threat which, all knew, hid underneath. His usually warm, brown eyes turned cold, dark and somewhat distant and that only meant the man was dead serious. 'This is not a laughing matter so act accordingly! You all know how this works and remembering those few steps is not that hard, now is it?' Everyone were quiet and looked ashamed.

The man nodded and glanced at man that had blond hair tied in high ponytail. His bangs covered his right eye. The visible one was the brightest sky-blue colour that you've seen.

'Continue.'

'Right... as I was saying this wasn't done by an explosion, well at least not the ki- '

'Then please explain that ridiculous amount of gunpowder scattered around.' He was cut off by a red-head man that was standing on his right. His face didn't give away any emotion but tone of his voice and glint in his chocolate brown eyes spoke of complete and utter irritation.

'Danna ' the blond started ' that is the problem we have been debating for hours now, un. Just give me a chance, will you? And please leave explosions to the experts, un ' he added with a smirk. Well, the red-head really couldn't argue against the last statement but it didn't meant he didn't wanted to and he was getting rather impatient so... 'Gaki.' he muttered under breath and waved his hand impatiently as if telling him to continue.

'Thanks... Look, there was an explosion the thing is that it wasn't the kind you imagined. Damage is too small to be caused by full scale one and just look at it, un.' At that everyone turned to look at the gaping hole.

'It looks neat ...' the red-head stated and trailed off.

'Exactly. As perfect as they can be they are never neat, un. The other thing is gunpowder, that Danna kindly pointed out. With that amount they could blow the half of the wall up, but didn't. Another thing being evidence that conveniently lie around for everyone to notice, that is if my theory is correct.' Everyone took a moment to think about what was said. Leader broke the silence with a question.

'So, what's the theory?'

'Before that I think you should take few things into consideration. First being that they probably took the gunpowder from the armoury near the main warehouse. Now that means we either have a traitor in our hands or some of our allays are being threatened, though I don't think it's anyone present ' he added after the rest of the group started to give each other looks that said 'are you the one ' 'There is one more option. An enemy has finally made the first move.'

'Do you think it's Uchiha or - '

'Don't even think about it! Teme's father has nothing to do with it! Stop involving them in our problems, dattebayo!' Naruto growled.

'And how would you know that?' Leader grit through his teeth.

'You have your secrets I have mine, 'ttebayo.' he hissed back. Leader sighed. He knew Naruto was right on that part.

'Ok, calm down it's my job to ask.' Naruto just grumbled under his breath. 'I'll leave it alone, for now.' Leader said sending stern look in Naruto's direction when he opened his mouth to object. 'Deidara...'

'Yes, the theory. Obviously they needed gunpowder but half of the pouch would be enough. After they weakened the structure with it they finished the deed with a ram.'

'But there are no tracks.' the red-head commented.

'Well it was raining heavily so tracks could be concealed. At least that's how I would have done it.' Deidara stated nonchalantly. At the statement everyone send him 'you have to be kidding ' look on which he only shrugged and said 'What?' innocently. His eyes suddenly lit up as he remembered something. 'Oi, there's something that's bothering me though.'

'Do tell.'

'You know those muddy footprints, 10 meters away, that lead over the wall?' everyone nodded. 'How did they return because there are no footprints leading back?' no-one could come up with an answer.

'Sasori you know this is final so what do you say?' Leader asked the red-head on Deidara's right.

'If you repeat anything that I'm about to say to anyone I swear I'm going to put Hirako in good use.' Sasori said with a straight face and everyone believed instantly and agreed to keep quiet. 'I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Gaki here.' said blond had a face splitting grin plastered on his face. 'First there are to many evidence to take them into an accord and not to think they are left accidentally. Be it the gunpowder or the muddy footprints. That led me to take third option as most probable one but, I don't actually think it was a move at all.'

'Then what is it Danna?'

'I'm 100 percent positive it's a diversion. It was made completely see-through but it doesn't change the fact it is one. I don't know what for but knowing him it has to be something big. And one more thing. Footprints are a set up but they did have to come back and I highly doubt that they would erase tracks all the way to the Lower ring.'

'It's settled then. We'll treat it as a diversion and be on the guard. Now you two how did our plan go?' Leader turned to Naruto and Konohamaru that were covered in mud from head to toes.

'It's perfect, dattebayo.' Naruto said.

'We'll have funds needed in no time.' Konohamaru added.

'That's only good information I received today, you are dismissed but be sure to return tomorrow afternoon.'

'Yes, yes we'll be here.' Naruto waved him off and turned to leave followed by Konohamaru.

Five people were standing in front of the wall when a man with crimson hair and striking violet eyes spoke. 'I know how they returned without leaving tracks.'

'Well then speak.' Sasori said impatiently. Next 3 words struck everyone as painfully obvious.

'Konoha's Black Market.'