Luvs2smooch: Sorry I took so long. Thanks for the reveiws. It's no good excuse, but I haven't had much free time recently. Oh well. R&R!

The Free and the Hated

The tendrils of dawn were taking their sweet time, and just waiting for the sunrise was killing me. Anko refused to meet me at any other time, so I had little choice but to follow her agenda. This training of hers, I knew, required such hours. Sure, both Anko and her training were necessary, but couldn't she just brew a cup of joe and meet me at a time when I can actually see her?

I clutched my own coffee closer, wishing it could warm my body as it did my hand. It was October, and everything was colder. I sighed through some shivers. Stuck on the Go Square, when I still had Boardwalk and Parking Place to conquer. I was already a week into my scheme. I was impatient, wanted to get out of here. Not just out this freezing forest, but out of the village. I was sick of it. But I knew that if I acted out too soon, such a precursor would bring my plan to shambles. So I had to stay low and quiet. Which only made me more anxious to be free.

I was jolted from my daydreams when a stray kunai buried itself and inch or so into the grassy earth at my feet. Both mildly surprised and plenty relieved, I gazed upwards to where I knew my 5 AM appointment stood. Dressed in here usual coat and skirt, I wondered briefly if he weather bothered her as it did me. Her next remark told me otherwise: "Cold?" She grinned complacently. Obviously weather no longer held much, if any, consequence to her. "So, do you have the floor plans?"

Now I smiled. I reached behind me and lightly took a kunai out of my pouch. Tossed it up to her and replaced it with the one at my feet. Anko looked quite stunned at my trick.

"Are you sure it's all in here?" She pointed at the kunai where it was know embedded into her tree as she spoke. I just grinned as I nodded, watching her hold it like a child does a new toy.

"Alright…" Just as quickly as she had materialized, she disappeared, swallowed by the night again. I wiped my brow as I sighed to myself. Phase One complete.

000

I rose out of my bed just as the sun began to peek through my curtains, already talking to myself.

"Morning. Excellent. Time to check the newspaper…and…yep, there it is. Front page, robbery at the Shigami Stronghold. Last night around 4. Bottom floor flooded, most other floors doused. Everything is wet. And, of course…'' I turned the page. "Yep, a Forbidden Scroll is missing. I wonder which one…Oh! They don't say. Restricted information? Perhaps, Perhaps." I chuckled, even as I talked to myself. Perfect execution, I'd bet. So far, so good.

"Hmm? A hole in the treasury vault? 'Far too small for anyone to fit through, said hole still has investigators puzzled…'"

I smirked. Everything had gone smoothly. Or so it would seem, anyways. My next tryst with Anko will affirm anything in doubt, I'm sure.

I dressed rather haphazardly, my mind in as other a place as humanely possible. Tripped into a pair of sandals and glanced at the clock. I frowned. I'd be late again. Of course, Kakashi usually was later than I, but I wanted to arouse no suspicions among anyone. So I decided I might as well make haste.

While I arrived at our meeting point (the old bridge) huffing, neither Sakura nor Sasuke seemed to take any note. Which was fine with me. After all, I—

"Naruto! ...You're late."

"Huh? I--" I looked up. Kakashi was standing on the gate. "Oh. Sorry, Kakashi-sensei." I tried to sound surprised, caught off guard.

I frowned inwardly. I didn't count on Kakashi actually being on time. Odd, I thought, that he should choose a day like today to arrive on time. That could mean nearly anything. But I had a good idea of what it was…

"I'll let it slide, this time anyways…" Hmm. An odd tone for Kakashi. Unusual choice of words as well. When I looked up, I could see him staring off again, across town from his perch on the gate, staring at something, something unknown to me. It looked as though he sighed. Then he looked down at us again.

"Yosh! I am sure you are all aware of the Shigami incident. A robbery, late last night, at the hallowed stronghold. You will all be glad to know that you three will be participating in the investigation. Here is a scroll-" -He chucked down a small scroll, tied shut with a red string and bow- "-which contains your briefings. Be prepared to leave tonight at 11. This is of high priority. As much of your traverse as possible must be completed at night. That is all," And then he vanished, making haste to what was presumably the Shigami.

I turned to look at Sasuke and Sakura, but they had both left. I smirked. Oh well. I have till 11. I strolled off towards the ramen shop, whistling a tunelessly.

Luvs2smooch: How was it?