Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

As always a big thank you to my Beta cheekylips.

Chapter 20 Painted Faces

At the end of the month Maiha's first stage of training was complete. On the eve of her departure date she decided to visit Kakashi before she left. As Tsunade said the mission would most likely be a long one and things were left so awkward settling them would be in the best interest for both of them.

On her way Maiha thought about how she would start the conversation. Unfortunately she arrived at his door before coming up with any ideas. She was hesitant about knocking but decided to anyway since this may have been her last opportunity to set things right before she left the village.

Maiha exhaled thankfully when he didn't answer. Must not be back yet. Okay time to prepare my mind and… just before she turned to leave she heard the door unlock and the knob turn. She swallowed hard and held her breath before turning back around. Thankfully it was Madori, even though it wasn't a pleasant meeting between the two she was still somewhat glad it wasn't Kakashi.

"Is Kakashi in?" Maiha asked apprehensively.

"Not yet but I am expecting him very soon, he said he would be back in a week, which is today. I have a surprise for him." Maiha could smell incense burning and see the light of candles flickering in the dark.

"Oh, um, okay… could you give him a message for me then please?"

"I suppose," Madori exhaled heavily with a slight eye roll.

"Could you tell him that I have a long mission, to take care of himself and I'll see him when I get back."

Madori huffed, annoyed that Maiha would ask her for a favor. She knew that Kakashi had a relationship with Maiha outside of their own. "Yeah I'll tell him," and slammed the door in Maiha's face.

Well I highly doubt that message will get to him but I tried. Maiha sighed, oh Kakashi, I'll never understand the way you think. She turned and headed back to her apartment to get her flute. "Since I have the time I should practice a little." She headed out in search of a place to play. Maiha found a large tree not to far from town by the lake and sat in it's branches. She thought for a moment. Just holding the wooden instrument brought back memories of Ai and how she loved to hear Maiha play. When she finally began she allowed any built up emotion exit through the music. First concerning Ai and how much she missed her. Then there was Kakashi. Whenever she saw or thought of him she had to fight those feelings. Unfortunately they were still so strong everyday was a battle.

Kakashi, meanwhile, was just finishing up his report from his mission and turning it in to Tsunade. He looked at her intently wanted to ask if she had looked into Maiha's dilemma as she said she would.

"Lady Hokage, may I ask if anyone looked in on Maiha's behavior?"

"She is fine Kakashi she was evaluated and is psychologically sound."

"Thank you Ma' Lady." He left her office and headed in the direction of Maiha's apartment to inform her of his safe return and check on her himself. He wanted to apologize for letting his emotions get the better of him that evening. Holding on to any resentment wasn't worth hurting their relationship further. He already felt as if she were slipping away from him and though he was reaching out for her she wouldn't take hold of his hand.

Kakashi traveled the roads on the outside of the city away from the noise of the bars and restaurants so he could concentrate on how he would approach her and discuss the words that had been said the tones used and the emotions that were felt.

Interrupting his thoughts, his ear caught the sound of an instrument carried along the gentle breeze of the evening. Curious he followed it. He had not heard a flute played in the village in quite some time. He followed the sound and found Maiha seated in a tree playing what seemed to be such a sad melody. She stopped momentarily and he heard her sigh as she slouched slightly.

"I can't remember that last time I heard you play." Startled, Maiha wiped a few tears from her eyes and turned to see him standing under the branch she had perched herself on.

Maiha turned away slightly and looked up at the sky. "It was the night of Ai's funeral." I haven't played since that day.

"Why are you playing such a sad melody?

She tightened her hands around the flute as she glanced back down at it. "I was thinking about how much I missed her."

"Will you be staying much longer?"

"Not to much, I will be leaving on a long mission tomorrow." She turned back to face him again. "So before I forget, take care of yourself I'll see you when I get back," and she gave him a small smile.

"If you are going to play for a while longer do you mind if I stay and listen?

"Not at all." Though the situation that happened the last time they had seen each other had net yet been resolved they took comfort in each other's company. He was happy that she was cleared from her evaluation and didn't push him away.

She was relieved that he had returned from his mission safely and didn't seem overly concerned for her. Maiha began to play again and Kakashi took a seat beneath the tree and shut his eye and let the melody carried him away.

After a while longer Maiha stopped playing and hopped down out of the tree. "Okay, I think I should be headed home. I have to get up very early tomorrow."

"Thank you for allowing me to listen, you still play beautifully."

She looked down quickly before looking back up at him with a warm smile, "Thank you."

There was a moment of silence.

"Maiha," he exhaled, "I want to apologize for the way that I acted before I left. It was not right of me to say such harsh words as well as the tone I said them in."

Maiha tried to downplay the incident. "You were concerned for me Kakashi, we are good friends, and though the situation was a little awkward with emotion I understand. But I'm okay, you don't need to worry." She reassured him. Maiha still felt bad having to lie about her behavior for the mission but that was a factor she couldn't change. Leaving the village for the second stage of her training would provide the cover she needed.

"Oh, goodness I forgot!" Maiha blurted out, "I went over to your apartment to let you know I was going out on a mission and Madori was there waiting for you. I hope I didn't get you in trouble, she said she was expecting you."

"In my apartment?" he exhaled. "Well I guess it's a good thing I heard you playing then." Even though they were together he still liked his privacy. "She still hasn't learned that I like a little space after a mission."

"Well anyway it was a pleasure to hear you play again Maiha, I hope your mission goes well and I will see you when you get back." He looked down and then refocused on her again. "You know, now that I think about it, let me walk you home. Madori has probably gone home by now anyway."

"Okay," she said as they began walking, "I just hope you don't get into trouble, Madori seems kind of uh... intense."

"Yeah, she defiantly has her moods," he said despondently with a slight eye roll. "Sometimes it really sucks the energy out of you." He walked along next to her with his hands in his pockets.

Not really wanting to talk about their relationship Maiha quickened her pace a bit and changed the subject matter. They engaged in lighthearted conversation that lasted the rest of the way to her apartment. "Thanks for walking me home Kakashi, I'll see you when I get back okay."

"You're welcome, take care of yourself," he waved as he turned to go and Maiha walked through the threshold shutting the door behind her.

In the morning after stopping at the memorial, Maiha arrived at the Hokage's office to be dressed and accompany the Tea House owner and his wife back to the city. After she was outfitted in her geisha kimono and face paint Tsunade approached her. "Maiha I know this makes you uncomfortable…"

"It's ok Lady Hokage we need to find out what has happened to those young women, I understand what I have to do," she said with a nod.

Tsunade nodded back. You have grown haven't you Maiha.

"There perfect absolutely perfect, it is so much easier when you have natural beauty to work with. Have you brought your flute?" The tea keeper's wife pressed for their departure.

"Yes ma'am."

"Then I shall hear you practice in the carriage."

"Yes ma'am."

"Here is your parasol and your fan."

"Now this I am familiar with," Maiha smiled and she opened the fan.

"We shall go then," the Tea house owner thanked Tsunade once again and bid her goodbye.

"Good luck Maiha," Tsunade sent her well wishes for a successful mission. Maiha looked so different it was like a stranger was standing in front of her. Had she not seen the preparation with her own eyes she would never have known it was her.

"Thank you Lady Hokage."

Five years of geisha training all condensed into eight weeks. Maiha was only expected to entertain clientele solo in dance as it took much more time to sync the movements of all the geisha at the tea house but all other forms of entrainment could be carried out in a group if necessary. The tea house owners kept her performances as close to basic as possible to conceal her identity. Luckily other than the tea pouring and the dancing her kunoichi training more than made up for most of her skills, all she had to do was refine them and make them more feminine and graceful. The hardest part for her would be giving up her independent personality while she was playing the role serving the needs of the clientele keeping the fantasy hidden under the face paint. Being completely submissive was a hard concept to grasp for the kunoichi but with the proper mind set she was able to compensate. If it weren't for her old habit of being overly ambitious she would have never been able to play the part. She set a personal goal for this mission, she was determined to blend in seamlessly with the other geisha, a feat in itself considering the rigorous and brief training period.

After Maiha had settled into her role, Tsunade chose the male shinobi that she would have visit the village. "Genma, I am sending you on a mission to a tea house in Otafuku Gai."

"A tea house?"

"Yes, you will be meeting with a kunoichi masquerading as a geisha to gather information. This is of the utmost confidential status, leaking information to anyone will jeopardize the mission as well as the kunoichi's safety. I want to keep this as inside as possible, which is why I am sending you."

"Yes Lady Hokage."

Genma arrived later that evening through a back entrance in plain clothing. He was shown to a private room by the tea keeper's wife and when Maiha was available she made her way to the room. Maiha kept up the rouse that Genma was an actual appointment. "Would you like some tea?"

"Oh yes please."

"So… Lady Hokage sent you," Maiha smiled.

Genma squinted as he watched her glide about the room as if she were floating on air. From the white face paint, ornate hair style and the decorations that adorned it to the perfectly lacquered vivid red lips her identity was completely concealed. Her presence was alluring and her features exquisite like a hand painted porcelain doll.

It was only when he saw those eyes, the ones he always fawned over did he realize who the kunoichi was. She knelt down next to him with perfect balance and poured his tea with precision.

"Maiha, is that you?"

"Yes it is."

"Uh I don't know what to say,"

"Do me a favor and don't say anything," she smiled.

"Well uh okay," he said still shocked it was her. "Though I may have to put this on my fantasy list," he chortled.

"Stop Genma," she smiled. "I have some information for you so mind on the mission okay."

"Oh yeah, sorry I couldn't help it," he chuckled again as he put his hand behind his head slightly embarrassed.

Maiha continued, "Of the 4 geisha that have disappeared the similarities are uncanny, the same height and weight etcetera but they all specialize or excel in different talents. Collecting information has been extremely difficult, being the new girl at the tea house hasn't exactly been working out for me, but it's not for lack of trying," she exhaled.

"How are things otherwise?"

"The only people that know my true identity are the tea house keeper and his wife. I am treated like all the other geisha here. They have put me up in a nice apartment and supply everything I need to play the part. And let me tell you it is way more difficult than I ever thought it would be."

"Would you like more tea?"

"Oh, yes please," he held out his cup.

"Sorry it's out of habit, your cup is bottomless." He watched her as she delicately moved the sleeve of her kimono elegantly and filled his cup. "I'm sure it would probably be a better experience if I were with a real geisha."

"Your company is wonderful Maiha. This is a first for me, usually when I come into the city this isn't the type of entertainment I am looking for."

Maiha smirked knowing exactly what he was talking about.

Once her time was up the owner's wife knocked lightly on the door, it was time to say goodbye. "It was great to see you Genma, please get the information to Lady Hokage as soon and as safely as possible."

"I will. Thank you for the entertainment tonight. You know if the whole shinobi thing doesn't work out for you maybe you should try becoming a geisha," he smiled and laughed. "Just kidding of course." Maiha smiled back at him and shook her head. "You take care okay," and he squeezed her hand.

"I will, thank you Genma see you next time," and he left out the same way he entered.

Genma returned for the full show during his next visit. The short visit with Maiha sparked an interest in him and he wanted to see more of the geisha entertainment. He listened to her play her flute and watched how Maiha danced with such intricate movements and such perfect posture, all with unemotional facial expressions but with passion in each movement. He looked around and noticed the gaze from the eyes of the men in the audience, she held their complete attention with her beauty and grace. Unfortunately, during their meeting that night she had no new information to provide.

The mission continued for another month without any more geisha disappearing. And the only other information she was able to gather is that they had all disappeared from different tea houses. The one in which she was working was one of the houses that had not lost any geisha. Therefore, it may have been more likely it could be one of the next targets.

The last evening of the second month on the mission Maiha was relaxing at the tea house before returning home for the evening in one of the private rooms. Is this mission ever going to end? She tilted her head backward. Tending to every need of the client without any reprieve for me is so draining. Why would anyone seriously want to do this for a living? She exhaled.

There was a quiet knock at the door. She brought her head back up "Yes, come in please," Maiha spoke.

One of the Miko's of the house had come and offered her some tea. "Evening tea onee-san?"

"Yes please. You are always so gracious, thank you." Finally, something that doesn't have alcohol in it. I see why Lady Hokage had me build up my tolerance before the mission. The male clientele here are ridiculous.

"Have a good evening onee-san," the miko bowed before exiting.

"Thank you, you as well."

As Maiha finished her cup of tea she began to get very sleepy and dizzy, the room began to spin. Her body began to go limb but was she was still slightly conscious. Her vision faded in and out as she saw two men and the miko in the black kimono that had just served her tea. She drugged me. The men flipped her up and gave her an injection to sedate her. Maiha attempted to put up a fight but as the sedative took effect she lost voluntary control of her body.

Before losing consciousness Maiha heard one of the two men speak, "She will complete the boss's collection."

When Maiha awoke her body was still paralyzed from the sedatives but her eyes were beginning to focus again. Maiha assumed that she was lying on a bed though she couldn't speak or move. She heard the sound of a door unlocking and then the twist of the knob. I'm helpless damn it I can't move. She heard footsteps approach her and then felt an entity sit down on the bed next to her. "What beauty!" His voice was trembling with excitement. "Ah yes, you will be my blue gem, the last of my collection." He ran his hands over her embroidered silk kimono and he touched her cheek gently with the backs of his fingers.

"You will learn to like it here with me. Usually I take longer to choose my gems but when I saw you I just knew I had to have you." I shall send two of the others in a few hours to help you prepare for your introduction. He stroked her face again and leaned in hovering over her face, "I can't wait to enjoy all of you, talents and body." The fat little man was just barely visible in Maiha's peripheral vision but his touch not only angered her it was nauseating in combination with his words. A pleasurable chuckle rolled out of his throat and he kissed her lips. "I will see you tonight, good bye my gem."

Maiha was irate and disgusted by the fat little man, but not having the ability to do anything other than exist only allowed tears to leak out of the corners of her eyes.

The next afternoon when Maiha didn't show up for her shift, the tea house owner sent word to Tsunade that she had gone missing. The apartment in which she was staying as well as the tea house was inspected thoroughly. The evidence collected by the city authorities revealed that she had been drugged and sedated before being taken. The abductors were sloppy this time possibly from the fuss Maiha put up while they attempted to remove her from the tea house. The cup of liquid laced with the sedative and the syringe as well, were left at the scene.

"That explains why she was so easily taken," Tsunade read through the report quickly. She paused. "Try to keep everything as low key as possible we don't want to tip off her abductors to her true identity, they may kill her while she is sedated or we could lose the chance of finding her.

"Yes Lady Hokage."

"And get me Kakashi, Neji and Kiba."

As always, thank you for reading and following along. Oh, and thanks for the review! I really appreciate it! It's nice to know what you think. Constructive criticism will only help me improve.

Up next… The mission and the pink haired medic begins to connect the dots.