The four shinobi - two from the Leaf and two from the Sand - left Konoha the next morning. They were completely prepared for the mission and had plenty of rest, food, and weapons to get started. Sakura was right in that the trip did take approximately 6 hours...well, actually it was closer to 7 because the team did take their time to have lunch in the forest on the way.

Kankuro was appointed the official lead with Sakura as his back-up. He also took the lead in the cross-formation they used when jumping from tree to tree most of the way to the village. Right before they reached their destination, the forest ended. The four shinobi dropped out of the trees and stopped to regroup for the last, short trek to the village itself.

"You all know what to do, right?" Kankuro said.

Three shinboi nodded in return. Sakura walked behind one of the larger trees while the three men remained standing there.

"You, too, Jento," said Kankuro, prodding the young shinobi along.

"Oh, right!" said Jento who immediately dropped to the ground and opened up his pack.

While Jento brought out what looked to be clothes, Kankuro continued talking to him. "You are a well-trained, young shinobi, but when wearing the clothes a normal villager would wear you look to be somebody's son or younger brother."

Just then Sakura emerged from behind the tree. Jento freaked a little because he hadn't completely finished changing.

"Just put your pants on," said Kankuro. "Believe me, you'll both see and be seen a lot more in your shinobi career no matter how hard you try to be discrete."

Sakura was dressed in a pair of brown pedal-pushers with an oversized light top that fell to her mid-thighs. On her feet were a simple set of thongs. Her hair was tied back with a hair band through this one did not show the Leaf symbol on it anywhere.

"How do I look?" Sakura asked.

Kankuro answered in his mind before he answered with his mouth. Amazing. You are gorgeous even with those simple clothes on. "You look good."

He turned to glimpse at Jento who had just finished pulling his shirt on.

"You are to go to the Pig and Whistle, order dinner, and wait for one of the villagers to sit next to you," said Kankuro.

"The villager isn't a villager, right?" asked Sakura. "The villager is a member of ANBU and will ask a bunch of questions as if we are strangers. Don't forget the code word. He or she will pass something to us with any additional information we might need including our home for the duration of the mission."

"Right," answered Kankuro. "And if anyone asks, you and Jento are a brother and sister who just recently lost their parents and you've come to town looking for a fresh start."

"Got it," said Sakura.

Sai sighed. "And we just stay out here waiting," he lamented. Until Sakura could come back under cover of darkness, he and Kankuro would simply wait.

"I'm confused," said Jento. "Isn't it better if one of you two go and pose as the brother? I'm not going to go out often...in fact, sensei, you've asked me to stay inside the house as much as possible."

"That's exactly the point, Jento," said Kankuro. "If someone comes to the door, Sai and I will not be able to answer it. We aren't going to allow anyone to know we are here for fear of setting off Kanoshi's suspicions. Only Sakura and you are to be seen."

"Oh, I see," said Jento.

"Alright, enough talk. Are you ready?" Sakura asked the young shinobi.

He nodded.

Kankuro and Sai stood at the tree line as their two team members started walking the last half mile or so to the village.

The sun was getting lower in the sky and Kankuro hoped everything would be ok. This was, after all, just the plan to get into the village. They would need to gather additional data to see how to address the capture or elimination of Kanoshi.

Sai sat down against a tree and rifled through his backpack. He took out a sketch book and started drawing.

"The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" Kankuro said to make conversation.

"It's not the only thing that's beautiful around here," said Sai.

"And what does that mean?" Kankuro quipped defensively.

"I know we are on a mission and all, but it is pretty obvious from the way you look at Sakura that you are interested in her," said Sai pretty matter-of-factly.

"I'm that obvious, huh," said Kankuro.

Sai looked up and smiled at him. "Yes, pretty obvious. Emotions aren't really my forte, so if I'm noticing it you know it has to be bad."

"Great," said Kankuro. "I guess I need to try harder..."

"Well, that's up for discussion, too," said Sai. "She's talked about you in the past, too, you know."

"She has?" Kankuro questioned.

"Yes," he replied. "I would venture a guess that she might like you as well. I think you are the first person I have known her to take an interest in since the days of Sasuke."

"Sasuke Uchiha," Kankuro said aloud at hearing the name.

"She'll never fully rid herself of him. She was connected with him too long, even while he was away from the village. That bond is unbreakable. But at least she is finally coming to terms with the fact that she needs to move on," said Sai.

Kankuro didn't reply at first, but merely nodded his head at what his friend and fellow war veteran was now saying.

"So I might have a chance," he said aloud, mainly to himself.

"Probably," Sai said.

Sai continued to sketch as the sun continued to sink lower in the sky. "It won't be too long now," said Sai. "You might want to..."

"Yeah, you're right. Geez, I hate this part," said Kankuro.

Sai put his sketch book down on the ground and reached over to his bag to pull it close. He undid the clasps and reached in to pull out clothes.

"We need to look the part, too," said Sai. "Despite the fact that we are going to try not to be seen, the fact is, two men in villager clothes will stand out a lot less than shinobi."

"I know," said Kankuro. He held a cloth in his left hand as he poured water from a canteen onto it. Then he started scrubbing.

"...and that kabuki paint would really give us away," said Sai.

"I said, I know!" insisted Kankuro. He hardly ever didn't have a face fully covered in paint when he was out in public.

Sai smiled at Kankuro's discomfort. He knew that Kankuro didn't like this but he was sucking it up just the same. "Now I get to be one of the few who has seen you without your paint."

Kankuro noted what he had said. "My family, obviously, but you are one of the last of Team Kakashi," said Kankuro. "Sakura saved my life before. I was poisoned and sitting in a hospital in Suna when Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi all arrived. She not only saw me without my paint, but she's seen some pretty intimate places. Hell, she was pulling the poison out from my organs directly with her chakra."

Yeah, she is pretty amazing, Kankuro thought to himself.

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

Sakura and Jento walked into the village and found the place called Pig and Whistle.

"Welcome, welcome. New to town? Oh, it doesn't matter, come have a seat. Anywhere is fine!" said the waitress.

"Thank you," said Sakura. She led Jento to a table in the back corner.

"I'm starving," Jento admitted.

"Frankly, so am I," Sakura said. "I guess we got the better end of this deal." She whispered using the side of her hand as a shield and cracked a smile.

"Here you go, miss," said the waitress as she handed her a menu.

Sakura immediately froze. She noticed that the waitress held the menu open from the top as she handed it to her. Also grasped in her hand was a slip of paper.

"Thank you very much," Sakura answered. She had been expecting a villager, not the waitress herself to be her contact. Well, that was fast.

She pretended to peruse the menu while reading the note.

Was told Sakura Haruno would be on mission. Knew you in a heartbeat, no code phrase necessary. I'm a fan - was saved by your medical ninjutsu during the war. Nothing new with enemy in past 2 days. All relevant info already shared with Leaf. You will be staying in the guest house right outside of town. Walk South down the main street. House is on right and is green. I was staying there, but told owners I was leaving and that my niece was coming to town with her brother and needed a place to stay. Parents dead, now looking for fresh start. Already paid for one month. I am reporting back to Leaf this evening. Good luck.

Sakura thought to herself. One month? I hope not. But I guess we do need to be careful and stay under the radar for the time being no matter what it takes.

"Are you ready?" the waitress asked the duo when she showed back up at the table.

"I'd like a bowl of miso soup and the katsudon," said Jento. He closed his menu and handed it back to the waitress.

Sakura and her eyes met and a silent communication was made. Sakura nodded.

"And you miss?" the waitress asked.

"I'll just have the same," she said.

The waitress took her menu as well. "Thank you. That will be right up."

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

"Here she comes," said Sai sensing Sakura approaching.

She stopped running when she reached them. She bent over to catch her breath for a moment as Kankuro and Sai picked up their packs.

"Is everything ok?" Kankuro asked.

Sakura looked up and smiled. "The infiltration is complete," she said.

"Jento is at the place we're staying?" Sai asked.

"Yes, we went there right after dinner," said Sakura. "Do you know he started to ask me what we were going to do because we had never been contacted while we were eating?"

Kankuro laughed. "I take it he never knew a thing."

"It ended up being the waitress. We're staying at the place she stayed at. I'm her niece and I needed a place to stay. It all worked out because she is going out of town tonight," explained Sakura.

"Sounds like a good story to me," Sai said.

"The house is perfect. Just outside of town on the south side. Although...," Sakura said.

"What?" Kankuro asked.

"There are only two bedrooms," Sakura explained.

"Somehow, we should be able to make that work," Kankuro said. He secretly wished that he would not get the couch though...he did not sleep well when not in a bed.

"Let's get going," said Sakura.

Suddenly Kankuro's stomach made a loud growling noise. He turned a little pink.

Sakura smiled and then laughed. "There are benefits of not wearing your kabuki paint, huh."

"What are you talking about?" Kankuro asked.

"You're blushing," she noted. She turned and started walking towards the village.

Kankuro looked at Sai. He raised his eyebrows and smiled back as if to say "see?"

Kankuro exhaled and started walking with Sai not far behind.

"Don't worry," Sakura shouted to the two men behind her. "We already bought dinner from that restaurant and brought it back to the house. You'll be eating in less than a half hour!"

OlOlOlOlOlOlO

Sai and Kankuro got to the house unseen and devoured their dinner.

"That was good," said Sai when he finished.

"Good choice," said Kankuro.

"Thanks," said Sakura as she cleaned up after them.

They moved to the living room. Sai prepared a fire in the fireplace. Kankuro had already made sure all the shades were pulled so no one could look in and see who was inside.

"So what do we do first?" Jento asked.

"A little surveillance," said Kankuro. "The three of us will take turns watching the enemy's house for at least the next few days or so. Maybe we'll learn something that might be useful."

"Agreed. Three eight hour shifts," said Sakura.

"I'll take the first one," said Sai.

"Ok, wake me up in the middle of the night and I'll relieve you," said Kankuro.

"Will do," said Sai.

Sai hesitated for just a moment.

"What's wrong?" asked Sakura.

"To be honest, I'm not sure if I should wear shinobi clothing or villager clothing. If I get seen, the villager clothing would be better for explanations, through shinobi clothing is much less noticeable in the middle of the night."

"I'd stick with villager clothing," said Sakura. "But it's up to you. Either way is fine."

Sai thought for a moment. "I think I'll just stay like this," he said. "See you." He carefully peeked out a window looking for any sort of moment at all. He quietly opened the door and slipped out.

"What about me?" Jento finally asked. "Why can't I help?"

"I've already explained to you. You are young, inexperienced, and don't have any particularly effective shinobi skills as of yet. You are the strategist. You pick up on things and remember things. Your job is firmly behind the lines," explained Kankuro.

"Fine," said Jento flatly. He stood up and walked off into another part of the house leaving Kankuro and Sakura alone in the living room.

"Long day," Kankuro lamented to Sakura.

"Tell me about it," she replied. "Do you want some tea?"

"I'd love some," he answered.

She rose and made the tea. She walked back and put a cup in front of Kankuro on the coffee table. She then sat down and put her cup down as well.

"So what do you think is going to happen with all this?" Sakura asked.

"No idea," Kankuro replied. "Though I am pretty confident we're going to get this bastard."

"Where'd you put your puppets? I haven't seen them since I left for the village," said Sakura.

"Oh," Kankuro replied and leaned over to grab his pack from the floor. "They're in this scroll for now."

"That's handy," she answered.

"I can bring a lot of puppets with me now," said Kankuro. "I remember the days before I learned how to put them in scrolls...when crow rode on my back."

"I think when I met you that was how it was," said Sakura. "Though that gourd of Gaara's looked much heavier. I didn't envy either of you."

"No doubt," said Kankuro. "It is much easier nowadays. I've also gotten much better at wielding them."

Sakura yawned and stretched her arms up high. "I'm more tired than I thought."

"Go to bed then," said Kankuro.

"Aren't you tired?" Sakura asked.

"A little. I guess I could get some sleep," said Kankuro. "I should probably shower first."

"Oh, you're right," said Sakura.

"You go first. So you can get to bed first," said Kankuro.

"Thanks," she replied. She walked over to the bathroom door and stopped for a second.

"What's wrong?" Kankuro asked.

"Hold on," she answered. She quietly walked to the bedroom door on the right side of the bathroom. She turned the knob and opened it. After peeking inside, she closed the door again.

"Crap," she said.

"What?"

"Jento is sound asleep, sprawled diagonally on the bed in that room," she nodded.

Kankuro sighed. His prediction of him taking the couch just might come true.

"It's fine," Sakura said. "I'll take the couch."

"You don't mind?" Kankuro asked.

Sakura immediately answered, "Wait, you really want me to take the couch?"

"But you just said...," said Kankuro.

"I hate the couch!" she exclaimed. "I never get a good night's sleep on the couch."

"Me neither," said Kankuro. "If I did, I'd take it. I just figured we need to be ready for anything here. I really don't want to be exhausted tomorrow."

They stared at one another in silence.

"Fine," she said as she looked down. "It's a mission. We do what we have to. We'll both take the bed."

"Wait...what?" Kankuro said.

"You heard me," Sakura said.

Again, silence. Kankuro really wasn't sure what he should do here.

"We are friends after all. It's not like I'd just invite anyone I didn't know to sleep in the same bed as me. It's not like we're...," she said.

"Sure, right, right," he said.

"I'm going to take a shower. Be quiet when you come in," she said. She didn't even wait for a reply and entered the bathroom.

She showered and quickly entered the bedroom not even bothering to look at the man who would be sharing her bed as he still sat there on the couch.

She slipped under the sheets and lay there listening to what else was going on around her.

She heard the shower turn on, then off again. She heard the click of a light switch and then the opening of the door to the bedroom. After some shuffling, another body slipped under the sheets. There was no touching or additional talk.

"Good night, Kankuro," she finally said.

"Good night, Sakura."