Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, although I wish I did, then I would be rich.

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It honestly took me some time to find my thoughts, rise from the chair, and exit the room. On my way out, I flicked the light switch, and left the room completely pitch black in my wake. Once I entered the slate colored hallway, my foggy brain had to pedal furiously to orient myself. My stride echoed dully in the hall, as I didn't have the lightness of step that most shinobi possessed.

I'm so stupid! I berated myself. Why did I let Uchiha know that I knew that it was him instead of that Yamanka girl? Why didn't I have the presence of mind to act stunned when I saw the real Ino burst in the door? Why did I smirk in accomplishment?

My frustration at myself was nearly tangible. I seriously wanted to tear out my hair. I made a mess of things. There was no way that Ibiki and Uchiha were going to let me off the hook now. I gritted my teeth as I mounted the first stone step to get out of this stupid building with these stupid people.

So much for proving that I was just a normal citizen! The irritating part is; that is all I am. I am a completely regular eighteen-year-old citizen of the leaf village. I can't do awe inspiring things, like see through buildings or jump from tree to tree. I can't make other things do amazing things, like talk to dogs or bugs…that would be entertaining. I wonder what butterfly speech sounds like?

The receptionist in the foyer glared at me balefully. It was as if she was jealous that I was walking through the doors when she was bound by duty to stay caged behind the desk in the near silent room. The dying flowers still were set on the desk, and they looked almost the same as before.

Past them, two shinobi sat in the uncomfortable wood chairs against the grey wall. Another two stood relaxed in frount of them. All were male and had on flack vests that placed them at the very least chunin rank. They did not speak and almost altogether ignored my presence. Almost, I caught a flickering of their eyes when I turned my head. Out of my perphial vision, I eyed them suspiciously.

The one furthest from to left was all gold and sunshine. His hair was a deep blonde, and his eyes were a blue that rivaled that of the most brilliant of sapphires. A genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Curiosity changed his posture so he leaned forward in interest. Long legs that were extended in relaxation drew forward and his elbows rested on the top of his upraised knees. The grin that started small grew in size and breadth until it took over his entire face. I pretended not to notice that those strangely alluring eyes, but instead I felt my face heat. It didn't help that the blonde was attractive.

"TEME! ISN'T THAT THE GIRL WHO BEAT UP THAT ROUGE NINJA YESTERDAY?"

I flinched. My head whipped around and I stumbled a few steps back. It was time to leave. It was really time to leave.

The shinobi who was apparently "Teme" also turned to look at me. Black hair framed his face and the back of it stood straight up in gravity defying spikes. He must use his weight in hair gel each morning. His face was kept in a reserved mask, the same expression that gardered Itachi's. Considering the color of his hair and the dark coal eyes, I immediately made a connection between the two, and on further observation, the Uchiha fan that I glimpsed right before he turned to stare at me affirmed it.

I bowed quickly, and all but ran to the thick wood door. I grasped the handle before I could yank it a pale hand rested above mine before I even felt the small hairs on the back of my neck stir. That was it; I was doomed to the inquiries of some loud and incredibly attractive ninjas.

I stiffened and glanced back at me. One of the men, I supposed one of the ones that has his back to me earlier, placed an incredibly pale hand on the vertical handle just above mine.

"Here miss, let me get that for you." He said clearly. His voice was carefully blank. Eyes curved up into a u, and his lips made the slight curve of a smile. I smiled back.

"Thank you. It's really considerate of you." I mused thoughtfully as he smoothly pulled the door open.

"It is what a gentleman should do." He recited

"Then, for my part, I am glad you are one." I commented softly, glancing at the man's teammates. They were open mouthed with amazement. "However, I think that you may want reconsider who you think are ladies and who aren't. Normally, ninja's don't hold open doors for citizens." I passed him and started my way.

I could feel his blank black eyes drilling holes into my back. Confusion radiated from him in waves.

"You are female, around my age, and unmarried. All of these are prerequisites to be a lady." He argued and appeared beside me. "Unless you are a whore, or a man masquerading as a female." He let the sentence drop heavily, the accusation plain.

"no." I huffed annoyed.

"This is the time where you offer me your name and I give you mine in return." He stated with that smile again.

"I'm Kai Takahashi, pleasure to meet you …"

"Sai."

"Sai" I repeated

"May escort you to your destination?" Sai asked after a pause.

My eyes met his as I jerked my gaze upward. After the shock wore off, I felt a smile crease my mouth. I liked this Sai person.

"Sure that would be great. I'm heading to the bar to pick up my father."

I started off in that direction, but was quickly halted by Sai's companions bursting out of the door with a sharp bang. I flinched and unconsciously shied away from the loud noise. Sai turned to face them, and like the entire time I was with him, his expression didn't change from pleasant boredom.

The sunshine ninja yelled at us as he approached, dragging the spiky haired one by the arm, and one with brown eyes and a helmet sort of thing followed sedately.

"SAI! You can't just LEAVE! ANYWAYS, WE JUST AGREED THAT WE WOULD ASK HER TOGETHER!" The blonde was furious and stode up to us. I wanted to hide under the nearest rock. I guess he caught a glimpse of my terrified expression because his frown became a brilliant smile in the space of half a millisecond.

"Hi! I'm Naruto Uzamaki, this is Sasuke Uchiha, and that is Yamato." He pointed to himself, then to the Uchiha and then to the brown haired helmet man. "Sorry if I startled you. Sakura-chan always says that I am too loud."

"It's alright, don't worry about it." I pacified quickly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all", I bowed lowly to the ninjas. I felt their scrutiny; it was uncomfortable tightness in my chest.

"We were just heading to the bar, Naruto-kun. You all may help me escort her." Sai commented turning to the direction of the bar.

"To a bar? You don't take a girl to a bar for a first date, Sai." Sasuke commented coolly patronizing the other dark haired shinobi.

"Oh no, I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea Uchiha-san, I don't drink. Sai-san was just walking me there to pick up my father." I interjected quickly, my face flushed when I heard the word date.

"Your father is Seiji Takahashi, isn't he?" Yamato inquired politely.

I smiled and nodded in affirmation.

"I've never worked with him personally, but from what I have heard, your father is a very talented shinobi, but he never takes missions that are higher than B rank."

Again I nodded, and smiled sadly. "Mother forbade it." I said slowly. "Higher ranking ninja mission have too high of a fatality rate. They have an agreement."

"that would suck, not being able to go on the exciting missions." Naurto lamented to Sasuke.

"It's different when you have a family to support." I mouthed slowly. It was true, if father died, then mother, and I would be in dire straits. Mother hasn't actually ever held a job, and doesn't have a skill base. I could get two part-time jobs in the small shops splattered around Kohana, but I would be compeating with ninjas for them. Thus the likelihood of actually obtaining one is highly unlikely.

"I believe that I am quite enough to escort this young lady to the bar." Sai inputted smoothly.

"Hn." Sasuke said, regarding me with flat black eyes.

"Well then, we just happened to want a drink after our mission today." Naruto said with a grin. "And you know that Sakura-chan would be furious if we left you unattended with a girl, after what happened the last time."

"I was merely inquiring why her nails were taloned and what justu she performed with them." Sai protested calmly.

"And?" Yamato prompted

"Apparently they are plastic things called acrylics and they are for aesthetic purposes." He recited. "Despite that, they do leave scoring if raked down your face."

I giggled. I'd never met a ninja like Sai before, he seemed so utterly clueless. In some weird way, I kind of understood where he was coming from. Acrylic nails do look like talons, and if I had not been exposed to them from early on, I'd probably think that they were for fighting too.

Sasuke was still creepily watching me. Both of his black eyes were trained on me suspiciously, and I wasn't comfortable with it. Why am I so interesting to ninjas? With a resolve I barely knew existed I decided to confront him about it.

"Uchiha-san? Why are you staring at me?"

He didn't stop.

"I have to admit, I'm severely creeped out by you." I furrowed my forehead and attempted to hide behind Sai.

"Knock it off Teme." Naruto growled, smacking him upside the head.

"Yes duck-butt-sama, It's rude to stare." Sai said smiling.

"Dobe." The insult was quiet and monotone, but it still inspired a great response from the sunshine ninja.

"I am not a Dobe." Naruto thundered.

"really?" Sasuke questioned.

"Sometimes you are very idiotic dickless." Sai imputed.

This trade of insults got worse and worse. I didn't want to be caught in the middle so I backed away from the four men silently. When I'd almost reached the intersection, I waved goodbye to the helmet shinobi, turned on my heel, and walked away from the still fighting shinobi.

It seemed as though my escort wasn't up for the job after all. It didn't matter, meeting all of these people, being subjected to their constant appraisal, was grating on my nerves. I felt myself rubbed raw by it. I just wanted to collect my father, go home, and collapse in a heap on my bed. Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry about anything.

A rickety old man was slowly traversing the street. In one hand he carried a package of books, and the other he held a cane. White wiry hair shot out from underneath a hat, and glasses were perched on his considerable nose. His hands were liverspotted, wrinkly, and the skin was thin enough to see the blue veins that ran underneath it.

"Excuse me sir, would you like some assistance?" I called out as I neared him

"Hmm?" He grumbled and peered at me. "You talking to me, young lady?"

"yes sir, I was wondering if you could use my help." I asked again. I was generally curious about him.

People and their stories always amazed me. I loved hearing about their families. Their past, present and what they thought about the future. I just couldn't talk to people around my age, I always got too nervous. Personally, I just adored old people, because they would prattle away and I could listen to their lives without having to input much.

"Your help would be appreciated. Thank you." He handed me the package. For a moment my shoulder twinged, but then the pain subsided as I shifted the box to rest on my other arm. "We're heading to my son's place, Surin Yamakane. It's a couple of blocks this way."

He started to shuffle forward. Even without being burdened by the box, his joints didn't allow him to move at a very fast pace. Amidst his good natured grumbling, he asked my name. When I told him he nodded knowingly and proceeded to tell me that he was a retired ninja, and worked with my father on a few occasions. I was delighted.

"You knew my father when he was younger?"

"Yes, he was so kind and thoughtful, but strong and protective. He was a wonderful ninja, and everyone loved him. He always wanted to teach a genin team, Do you know if he ever did?"

"No sir, Father met mother and she keeps him on a short leash, and sensei pay isn't quite enough to support a family." I replied saddened. I had no idea that my father wanted to teach…

"Are you training to be a ninja?" The old man looked me over to see if I had a kohana headband anywhere.

"No sir, father and mother deemed it unsuitable for me."

"That is unfortunate, I'm sure you would have made an excellent ninja." He pursed his wrinkly lips and pondered for a moment. "Did you want to be one?"

"I do…did. I want to be able to defend myself. I want to be able to help others. But I don't necessarily have to be a ninja to do that." I reasoned.

"You are wise beyond your years. Ah! We've arrived. You can just hand the box back to me." He motioned for the box back and I complied.

"Thank you for your help, young Takahashi. If you ever need anything my name is Makota." He gave me a smile that highlighted the wrinkles on his face. "I may not be an active ninja now, but I know a lot more then you would think."

Touched at his perceptiveness, I bowed respectfully and softly thanked him. He took my hand in his own liverspotted one and patted it like a grandfather would. Somehow knowing that that is exactly what I needed.

We parted ways, and I was amazed that he was so open and so kind to a complete stranger. I fully planned on utilizing his knowledge. Especially, when it came to the Uchiha. I would need all of the help I could possibly get when it came to that calculating man.

I ran all the way to the bar. It wasn't far, around 4 blocks, but I was still a little out of breath when I reached the entrance to the 24 hour bar. It was a ninja bar, as the only time citizens were allowed inside was after ten. There was a ninja bouncer at the door, He was large and when folded his arms to glare down at me biceps the size of my thighs bulged.

I breathed in slowly, gathering my courage for another awkward confrontation with yet another ninja. In this one day, I met and talked to more ninjas than I did in a year. What is one more?

"Ano, Hello sir… My father is inside, Seiji Takahashi, I was wondering if I might collect him?"

The man stepped aside allowing for me to walk through the door, he gave no answer to the small smile and the slight bow I gave him. As I passed him, he turned toward me slightly, his eyes absorbing certain factors about my profile.

"careful." He rumbled as my foot settled on the floor just inside the establishment.

My eyes met his, and I saw genuine concern. I nodded once, acknowledging his statement, but confused on his reasons until I looked ahead of me and saw what he was warning me about.

The sunshine ninja was on the floor looking furious; he had a kunai out and was opening his mouth to yell something profane. The creepy Uchiha from earlier was standing over him with one hand in his pocket and another holding a shot glass filled with amber liquid. Naruto bellowed his opinion of Sasuke, as he smirked and drank the alcohol.

"TEEEEMMMMEEEE! WHAT THE HELL! LEMMME UP! TEM-mmmhh" Naruto belted, as Sasuke planted his foot on Naruto's head muffling the next few words into the floor.

"Baka." The entire room quieted.

Naruto raised his head, squirming uncomfortably until he spotted me. Then with a slight brush off he bounced toward me looking so much like an excited puppy.

"Kai-chan! Why'd you leave us? We were supposed to watch over you!" He frowned accentuating the red spot on his forehead where it was pressed into the floor. He grabbed my hand and dragged me tward his group. Sasuke, poured himself another shot, while Sai sketched something in a notepad, a bottle of bear within easy reach. Yamato was having a conversation with another jonin who I didn't know but he had the brightest silver hair I had ever seen.

"neh…Where is Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked when we reached the table.

"She has a shift at the hospital until ten." Yamato's companion replied. He turned to look at us and I was surprised to see that only a sliver of skin and one black eye was uncovered. The inflection in his voice was dry and he watched me carefully. Like all of the other ninjas, his eye swept over my appearance and the blush that infused my cheeks when I realized that Naruto still cradled my hand in his calloused weathered ones.

"Kaka-sensei this is Kai! She beat up a rouge ninja yesterday!" He boasted for me. "Kai-chan, this is Kakashi Hatake.

I bowed politely.

"Um Uzamaki-san, could you let go?" I brought our hands up to eyelevel. "I need to go get my dad. "

"Kai!" my father barked. I looked up and three tables over my father was standing. He looked furious.

"Dad." I greeted. Willing him not to make another scene, I put my hands up to placate him. The gesture was useless.

My father walked over, and with both eyes fixed on me, sweeping up and down to assure that I wasn't injured. He hissed in displeasure.

"WHAT WAS THAT YOUNG LADY?" He rumbled, a deep growl tinting his voice.

"Daddy, it's alright." I whispered.

"No! It is not!" He spat. "You had better explain."

Naruto interjected, apparently thinking that this confrontation was about our inadvertent hand holding. "It's ok Takahashi-san, Kai-chan just seemed lost…"

"SHUT UP UZAMAKI!" He roared.

Naruto opened his mouth to retaliate but Kakashi quickly covered the sunshine ninja's mouth with his own gloved hand. He struggled to contain all of that energy but somehow he managed. My father's scowl never left me.

"In the hospital, there was a request for a psych eval. Morino-san was just performing the evaluation as a favor. " I mumbled. Naruto stopped struggling. The entire group stopped moving so they could hear better.

"What were they evaluating for?" He wasn't angry anymore, more like an intense focus that I imagined is what he was like on missions.

"That I could be a sleeper agent because I didn't conform to citizen's roles." I answered, picturing the ludicrous statement in my mind.

"The results?"

"They didn't let me see them."

"Who is they?" He picked up astonishingly fast on the unexpected pronoun.

"Morino-san and his assistant." I lied smoothly. Somehow, here and now, it didn't seem wise to divulge that Itachi Uchiha was the assistant or he was the one who asked for the evaluation in the first place.

"The evaluation request should have had a signature; do you remember who signed it?" My father was frowning, no doubt picturing who in the village would have enough pull to request something like that from Morino.

"No." I lied again, glancing at the floor guiltily. I wasn't going to say anything about Itachi Uchiha while standing in front of his family member. Sasuke was staring at me, his black eyes slowly tingeing crimson.

"You are lying." He mentioned, angry again.

"Yes." I was sick of this, getting grilled, getting watched. "You'll not like the truth. So the question becomes do you really want to know?" I snarled.

My father stared at me like I had spontaneously grown another appendage. It was a rare thing when I lost my temper. The events of today, and the fact that I was hurting, tired, and at the end of my rope, compounded my frustration.

"Kai-chan, you ok." Naruto asked concerned.

"You can tell me on the way home." My father stated quietly, apparently forcing himself to calm down in the face of my anger.

"Okay." I agreed the frustration draining out of me.

He took my arm and led me away from Naruto and his group. Sasuke was watching me carefully, and Kakashi seemed wholely unconcerned as did Sai. Yamato waved goodbye.

"It was pleasure to meet you all." I said to the group before turning to walk away.

Just as we were about to exit, Naruto called out. "NEH Kai-chan, you should meet me for ramen at noon tomorrow!"

I paused, this ninja just asked me out on a date. Me, a date. "I'd like to!" I responded warmly. "at Ichiraku's?"

He nodded and gave me another brilliant smile.

The majority of the walk home was quiet. My father treating me carefully, as if he sensed that I needed a silent encouragement rather than an overbearing figure. He walked close by me, and although the night wasn't cold, his warm, strong presence helped.

"the name on the file was Itachi Uchiha." I started quietly, pausing as my father took in a sharp breath. "I'm assuming he was the ANBU captain that distracted mom when I was injured. He also impersonated the assistant that Morino-san told us about. He was at the interrogation. On Tuesday I have to meet him to continue the assessment." My voice was flat as if had no emotion regarding the turn of events.

"Kai, Itachi Uchiha isn't a person you want to be interested in you." He stated bluntly; obviously perturbed about my admission.

"Who is he?" I questioned.

"Itachi Uchiha is trouble. He is one of the best shinobi of the village. No, I think he is the best shinobi of the village. A very brilliant man. He is also the Uchiha heir, and dangerous Kai. He is so efficient and well honed; it is downright scary." Lines of worry appeared on his face.

"Daddy, what" I paused looking through my apprehension. "What do you think he wants with me?" I finished.

"I'm not sure….I can't imagine he really thinks you are a sleeper agent. I just don't know. You will just have to meet with him and figure out what he wants." He reasoned.

I groaned. This wasn't supposed to be happening. What did a ninja, especially a really good ninja like Itachi want with a citizen like me?

Hey all! Sorry, It took me so long to get this chapter up. Hope you enjoy and please review!