Disclaimer: I own nothing. Don't sue me.

AN: The only reason this chapter took soo long to write is because of Uchiha Itachi. Now that is one good looking pain in the behind to portray.

Also, anonymous reviewers please look into my profile for your review replies.

Chapter 3

Dawn came slowly, her tousled red head barely visible over the tall trees, reluctantly pushing away the dark velvet sheet that had covered eternity. And with her the world woke, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. Birds chirped uncertainly and a few bold ones even took to the early morning skies.

Time whiled away and a lazy breeze ambled through the clearing ruffling the tips of the grass which formed a skirt of the darkest green velvet around the turquoise lake.

Sandaled feet landed softly on the grass carpet, sunken eyes glancing over shimmering waters, unaffected by the serene beauty of the infant day before coming to rest on his quarry.

The object of his perusal stood in waist high water, his back turned to the bank, attention focused on the rising sun, with all the appearance of one who was unaware of his surroundings.

Kisame rested his large shoulders against the rough bark of a tree, allowing a sliver of his aura to leak through the mask he had enforced around his being.

The temperature seemed to drop by a few degrees and the wind grew colder but the man in the lake remained oblivious.

The amber hues of dawn wrapped themselves around the tall proud figure, illuminating the chiseled bronze frame perfectly, gently caressing his aquiline features. The deep sonorous chants which issued from his lips were entwined so naturally with the orchestra of dawn that it created an almost surreal enchantment.

Prolonged exposure might have granted Kisame some immunity against its strange effect, but even he felt lulled into peace by that song in that alien tongue.

Kisame did not like peace.

He bared his teeth, a little impatient. He had forgotten how damn long this stupid ritual lasted. For a moment he contemplated of introducing Samehada to the corded muscles of the naked bronzed back, fantasizing with ghoulish relish the angle that would most effectively sever the arteries.

With a sigh he abandoned that plan, which while being extremely attractive would entirely defeat his purpose for coming here.

For now, he would wait.

The man bend forward cupping up the waters in his hands before letting it fall through his fingers like a string of pearls, cupped palms touching his forehead in a manner that Kisame found both weird and irritating.

Well at least he had stopped singing now.

For an agonizingly long moment the man remained still before turning towards the bank.

"Oh." Dark eyes glittered even though the large shoulders seem to slump a little. "It's only you."

Kisame sauntered forward, grinning slightly. "Were you expecting some one else?" He brought Samehada forward resting its pointed tip on the grass. "And here I thought you would be glad to see me."

Brown fingers swept back the damp black tendrils with one swift motion; dark eyes studied the reflection on the water cryptically.

"I would be glad to see you." He looked up, a thin smile spreading on his aquiline features. "If you were a girl that is"

He moved towards the shore, the water lapping around his tapering waist.

"Ah …" Kisame's grin deepened, his grip tightened around the hilt of the heavy broadsword. "Here?"

"But of course." The other man said irritably. "Can't you just picture it?" He waved his hands in the general direction of the trees. "From there the lovely lady would come." His voice dropped a little to accentuate his words. "Her hair distraught, her lovely lips puckered into a frown. Fear glistening in her large, deep eyes." His eyes misted over with the beautiful mental picture he was concocting.

"And why is she running?" Kisame tried to keep his voice even but he couldn't help the knitting of his non existent eyebrows.

The man clicked his perfect white teeth in annoyance. "That doesn't matter." He snapped. He hoisted himself on the shore, his brown skin glistening as corded muscles rippled underneath in perfect unison.

"What matters is that she come bursting in and sees me" He flicked an unruly lock to emphasize his point.

"You?"

"Me."

Kisame tilted his head staring at the bronzed figure standing in front of him.

"Mandatory bath scene Kisame." Rudra rolled his eyes. "You never had any imagination to begin with."

'To hell with the mission.'

Sunken eyes narrowed as needle pointed teeth showed themselves from underneath thin blue lips. He was going to kill him here and now.

Kisame took a step forward purposefully.

"Of course it's not your fault that you're not as blessed as me when it comes to looks." The other man, oblivious to the dropping temperature was busy studying his reflection on the still surface of the lake. "Don't worry, no one is."

"Rudra." Kisame said slowly, deliberately pushing his anger to the back burner. "Shut up."

"If you insist." Rudra shrugged. "Let's proceed to my humble abode and then we can discuss why you sought me out." He turned to leave; thick black coils of hair spilled in careless abandon over the large shoulders. "Here I thought I had hidden myself quite well. Obviously I was mistaken."

"Oh no, you hid very well." Kisame turned to follow him; a slight breeze ruffled the tips of his dark blue hair. "But I tend to find rats quite easily."

Rudra chose to ignore that last bit.

They walked in silence, following the narrow trail amongst the trees; Kisame choosing to walk a little behind Rudra.

Tiny whiffs of cloud like pieces of twisted lamb's wool floated through the sapphire skies. A pleasant breeze played with the tips of the green grass that brushed against his white sock. Kisame could see the dark trees that hemmed in the natural glade stretch their numerous arms towards the skies. Still, he had been a bit surprised at how the tiny cottage seemed to leap out from behind the tall trees. Filtered sunlight fell on the sloping thatched roof, making the hay glint like spun gold. Numerous vines crept up its modest walls in a riot of colors. The aromas of a thousand wild flowers hung thickly in the air. Butterflies wove their way through the fragrant blossoms, flapping their kaleidoscopic wings in a strange dance.

The entire effect was so sickly sweet and cute that he could gag. His feet seemed to sink in the natural green carpet that led to the hut's slightly circular archway.

"Really quaint."

Rudra grinned at him over his shoulders.

"Isn't it? Built it myself."

The pride in his voice was unmistakable. He moved his lithe frame over to the doorway and moved inside with the gait of a king entering into his mansion.

Kisame resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

'Like I care.'

Kisame wondered whether Rudra purposely built door low so as to cause major inconvenience to people who dared to be taller than him. Fortunately, the door led to a circular room with adequately high ceiling. Kisame straightened, casting a look around him.

It was, as he had expected, disgustingly bright and cheerful.

Large windows bathed the room in a soft golden glow. The walls were adorned with carvings of wild animals and birds. Wild flowers swayed in tiny pots beside the window. Strange musical instruments were kept on brightly colored sheets, clothes piled over two reed chairs.

But Kisame's attention was arrested by the singular unadorned blade that was resting on a wall. Its crescent blade coiled on the wall with a deceptive laxness, its tip narrowing into a jagged point which seemed to be grinning with a malevolence that contrasted sharply with the general decor.

"I thought you had thrown that thing away."

He words were casual, sunken eyes not missing the slight stiffening of Rudra's shoulders, before he vanished behind a carved partition designed to give the owner of the house some privacy.

"The scorpion looks lonely." Beady black eyes still rested on the milky white blade.

Rudra emerged from behind the curtain, more appropriately attired.

"Here."

Kisame found a chipped cup pushed into his hands. He accepted it favoring his host with one of his more charming smiles. Rudra flopped down on one of the reed chairs that cluttered the miniscule room.

"Have a seat my Lord." His smile was guileless, even as his eyes danced. "And let us have a small chat over tea, like civilized people."

Kisame felt the rein on his temper stretched taut and his fingers itched for blood. Breathing slowly he settled himself in one of the empty chairs. After all he mission objectives did not include being goaded into a mindless brawl.

The chair creaked under his weight but fortunately did not fall to pieces as he had expected.

"So, what do you do for a living?" With an effort he managed to regain his usual drawl. "Beg?"

"Not yet." Rudra's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I sing."

"Ah." He said quietly, inhaling the rich aroma of the dark liquid swirling in the cup. "I don't suppose you know what I do?"

"In fact I know." Rudra sipped his tea calmly. "You're an S-class criminal wanted in all the five Shinobi countries, for your various …err…activities. And you've recently joined an organization that harbors other illustrious individuals like yourself."

"You're well informed."

"You'll be surprised at how much information a good looking traveling minstrel can gather."

"What if I told you that such an organization wants you to be a part of it?"

Kisame's voice was soft, beady eyes resting on the dark face over the serrated edges of the cup.

A thoughtful expression passed over Rudra's chiseled face. For a while no one spoke. Somewhere outside a bird was singing, it's strangely melodic call was echoing through the forest.

"Do you think my hair looks a little dry?"

Kisame's brow clouded over, his strained nerves were already stretched to their limit. He gripped Samehada's hilt tightly.

"I. Don't. Care."

"I thought you wouldn't" Rudra carelessly let fall the dark lock he had been examining. "What were you saying again?"

Tiny veins had webbed out from the corners of Kisame's beady eyes. If it was possible to kill with a look, the man in front of him would be a smoldering pile of ashes.

"Oh right, the organization." Somber dark eyes rested on his face, oblivious to how close he was to meeting his maker. "How many women?"

"What?" Kisame blinked. "In the Akatsuki?"

"No, in my left pocket." Rudra snapped, a little irritatibly. "Of course in the Akatsuki."

"One."

Try as he might he couldn't keep the surprise he felt from leaking onto his face.

"That won't do" Rudra leapt up, his thick voice shook a little with suppressed passion. "I have dedicated this life, this soul and this body in service of women. I cannot break my oath."

"Ah, such sacrifice!" A tight lipped sneer graced Kisame's lips.

Dark eyes twinkled. "I knew you would understand, my friend." He gazed outside studying the blue skies that peeped from behind the dark heads of the trees. "Damn, it's pretty late." He murmured. "I have to go. Earn my bread and all."

Kisame straightened himself; his large figure seemed to fill the entire room, choking out the warmth and sunlight from the room.

Rudra paced about gathering various articles with casual grace.

"Some thing tells me you're a little miffed."

"Whatever gave you that idea." Kisame drawled lifting Samehada over his shoulders.

"Well I would have asked you to accompany me." Rudra hoisted a ragged bag over his shoulders. "After all, Konoha is a pretty nice place to visit." Gently he picked up an instrument not unlike a shamisen. "But then, S class criminals tend to be very bad for business."

"Konoha?"

"Yes, that's were I entertain my adoring fans."

For a while Kisame observed the bandages that covered every inch of his great broad sword. His eyes appeared a little distant.

"Iwill accompany you." Beady eyes traveled outside the large windows resting on the numerous trees and their green leaves swaying softly in the breeze.

"Kisame, you wound me." Rudra was the picture of injured pride. "Have you so little faith in me?"

"I can't believe that you asked me that question Rudra." Kisame inclined his head a little. "You are far too slippery to be let out of my sight."

"Didn't you hear the part about S class criminals being bad for business?"

"I did." The lines that defined Kisame's face appeared mulish. "Now that is one of the reasons why I am accompanying you. I cannot have you alerting the authorities."

"First of all, alerting the authorities is too tiresome." Rudra rolled his eyes. "And secondly I believe that you enjoy all those Hunters chasing after you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, don't they give lots of chances to sharpen Samehada?"

"No." Kisame frowned. "They don't make Hunters like they used to." He yawned. "Let's go then. It is unwise to keep your adoring fans waiting."

"You know Kisame." Rudra headed for the door. "If I didn't know you better I would think that you're awfully anxious to visit Konoha."

Kisame's feet stilled.

"I am naturally… interested in visiting Konoha." His voice was smooth. "You haven't forgotten about the concept of information gathering, have you?"

"Information gathering." Rudra repeated, turning at the doorway, a ridiculously damnable smile on his face. "I wish you luck then."

Kisame's eyes narrowed but Rudra had already disappeared outside.

"Come on Kisame." His voice floated in. "Like you said; I cannot keep my adoring fans waiting."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Son."

Itachi cracked an eye open, charcoal black eyes staring sightlessly at the stern wooden ceiling before turning towards the door. Even as he sat up brushing away the scrolls that rested on his self, the shoji door clicked open.

"Father." His voice still held the tenors of boyhood, totally mismatched with the somberness of his expression.

The shadow of a smile touched Fugaku's stern lips.

"How have you been?"

"Well."

Itachi's answer was short, colorless and offered no further scope of continuing the conversation in that vein. Silence descended on the Spartan room as thick as winter mist. Fugaku brushed aside some of the scrolls heaped on the narrow bed and made a place for himself, his eyes following Itachi's vision out of the window and to the Sakura blossoms painted across the cerulean skies.

"You were assigned to a new mission."

His words were not a question but rather a statement, one that he wished to verify.

"Yes."

Sometimes it bothered Fugaku that his Eldest spoke so often only in monosyllables but then a good ninja must display a certain economy with his words. His eyes wandered over the soft curves of the face which still retained the traces of childhood.

"An ANBU mission?"

"No."

"No?"

Fugaku's nostrils flared imperceptibly, the black eyes were suddenly stained red, white fingers clenched into a fist. He took a deep breath, visibly forcing himself to calm down. It was not befitting the Head of the House of the Uchiha to lose his restraint so easily.

"Might I ask what manner of mission it is?"

"No." Itachi dark eyes looked into his. "Father." The word was added belatedly, almost as if in an afterthought.

A shuddering breath escaped Fugaku as he got up, moving to stand beside the open window.

"Do you know what this means Itachi?" His fingers gripped the wooden panels till his knuckles were white. "This is an insult, to the Uchiha, to our pride and to you." There was a kind of cold fire in his voice. "You need not worry son. As your father I will ensure that this oversight is adequately amended."

His eyes rested for a while on Itachi's dark head and for a moment he thought he had seen a flicker of a smile pass through the thin lips.

"I will take my leave now." Fugaku moved towards the door. "When will you be leaving for your newest assignment?"

Itachi did not look up from his scrolls.

"Immediately."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There were some who considered the Tsumetaisuki grove to be one of the most picturesque locations in Konoha, especially in spring. Rumor had it that it was the Nidaime's pet project, one that he had undertaken to impress a foreign Princess. The Nidaime's stamp was, naturally, visible all over the place, right from the gurgling waterways which meandered alongside the winding marble pathways, to the four crystal fountains which marked the boundary of the grove. The Sakura trees sprinkled liberally throughout the area gave the locale an almost surreal look, especially when they were in full bloom.

Naruto, of course, knew nothing of the grove's history and frankly he couldn't care less. He just thought that it was a very pretty … and a very boring place. There could be nothing of interest in a place where adults lounged about, holding hands and sighing over each other.

Yet today he stood at its threshold, apparently resigned to hours of boredom. Well, not before he gave it one last try.

"Ayame-neechan." He whined. "Do we have to go?"

"You don't have to come if you don't want to Naruto-kun." Ayame smiled, carefully tucking a silky brown lock behind her ear. "And we'll forget that extra large bowl of ramen I promised, okay?"

Naruto paled.

Forget?

Ramen?

"Not fair neechan."

Adults were tricky. He knew that. It had merely slipped his mind at the promise of ramen.

With a sigh he wrapped his fingers around Ayame's slender digits and trudged up the marble stairs leading to the grove, blue eyes flickering over the large assortment of people who had collected there.

Naruto liked crowds, especially when the object of their appraisal wasn't him. From the information he had gleaned from Ayame's dreamy musings, he knew that this gathering was for some singer, so he had no cause to worry, at least for now.

Not that he cared.

Naruto scowled, linking his fingers behind his head. He was only in this for the ramen.

"Ahh…"

Naruto blinked; his head turning towards Ayame with an almost audible snap. Ayame's face was flushed and she was hastily patting her already immaculate hair into place.

"He is here."

'Adults are werid.'

Naruto stood on his toes eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had just arrived. Stranded as they were at the periphery of the crowd all he could manage was a deluxe view of various multicolored yukatas.

"Ayame-neechan." He tugged at her blue yukata. "I can't see a thing!"

"Isn't that's nice Naruto-kun." Her smile was vacant as she absent mindedly patted his head.

"Neechan." He tugged again this time with a little more force. "I am bored."

"Umm… Naruto-kun." Ayame's voice though gentle was still slightly absentminded. "Go wait over by the fountain okay like a good boy and I will get you two bowls of extra large miso ramen."

Naruto nodded. Ayame's present behavior might appear alien to him but even he understood a good deal when he saw one. Uncurling his hand from Ayame's dress he wandered over to one of the fountains. It took him a while, but he was able to occupy his time counting the slowly drifting Sakura petals, floating down from the heavens to settle on the turquoise water like tiny pink boats.

Naruto yawned, blue eyes yet again moving towards where Ayame was. Though he still could not see this singer Ayame told him about, the sound that emanated from the center of the gathering floated to him of the wings of the gentle wind.

Naruto had never heard music like that before but suddenly the day seemed a lot brighter. The shimmering water seemed to be laughing; gurgling merrily through the snout of the marble fish, washing over the carved plants and flowers.

With a small grin he leant over the brim staring at the swallow pool, yet again trying to while his time away with the petals that dotted the pristine blue surface.

He grabbed a pink leaf; holding it up for his inspection. The crowd was clapping and yelling for another song. He sighed, he was so bored. One could only listen to music and stare at Sakura blossoms for so long. For a moment he wondered if ramen was worth this hassle.

Of course it was.

Well at least he wasn't alone in his misery. There was another man standing by the fountain, staring so intently at the Sakura trees like he had never seen one in his life, totally oblivious to the cheering crowd, occasionally consulting the pages of the tiny blue book nestled in his hands.

For a brief minute their eyes met.

The man smiled, his thin lips curled upward in way that made his blood run cold. Naruto gulped, immediately turning in the opposite direction. After a while he chanced another furtive glance at the man only to see that he was still busy inspecting the trees. Naruto let out a heavy breath he hadn't known he was holding inside. Perhaps he had imagined it all.

"Umm… Excuse me."

Naruto almost jumped out of his skin. He whirled back and found himself facing the Sakura tree inspecting man.

Naruto gathered his wits, blue eyes taking a rapid appraisal of the fading brown hair, thick rimmed glasses and the watery smile, a little ashamed that he had been scared of a man who could easily be classified as harmless.

He grinned.

"Can I help you Ojisan?"

"Umm… I am new here, so…" The man adjusted his glasses, favoring Naruto with another nervous smile. "Is this … place really designed by the Nidaime Hokage?"

'I dunno.' Naruto nodded his head authoritatively. "Yep."

"Ahhh…"

The man gazed around rapturously, eyes shining behind the thick glass.

Naruto tilted his head staring quizzically at the man; he saw no reason to get so excited over a grove, even if it was a rather pretty. He understood adults very little and tourists even less.

Still, it was not his problem. He glanced in Ayame's direction yet again. Perhaps, it was time to slip away discreetly.

"The Nidaime Hokage was a genius in water element techniques." The foreigner's voice captured his attention yet again for some reason the voice seemed awfully familiar to him. "Am I correct?" He let a nervous bark.

'Like I care.' Naruto nodded somberly. "That's right!"

"Oh." There was something unpleasant in the way his lips curled upwards. "By the way, don't you know that good little boys are not supposed to talk to strangers." Even white teeth gleamed. "Shrimp"

"I guess… " Naruto's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, what did you just say?"

Thin eyebrows rose in mild incredulity.

"What did I say kid?"

"Ah …Umm…"

There was a wavering embarrassed smile on Naruto's lips as he edged away from the man, raising a hand to starch the back of his head. It was possible that he was hearing things. He needed ramen in his system and fast! But before that he needed to get away from the weird foreigner.

"Don't mind me asking, but is it necessary for citizens in Konoha to carry … err … sticks." Brown eyes rested on Stick pointing out from behind his back. "I mean is it a local custom or something?"

"It's not a custom." Naruto frowned, a little miffed at his ignorance. "It something all great swords person are required to do."

"I see." The foreigner fingered the blue handbook shuffling through its pages, his glasses dangling from the tip of his nose. "The holsters' a nice touch." For an infinitesimal second needle pointed teeth glinted from underneath his slightly parted lips.

Naruto inhaled sharply, the wind swirled around him making the blossom laden branches sway slightly.

"Fish …"

He began tentatively, his voice hesitant.

The other man was staring at him like he had just sprouted three heads. Naruto scowled, he couldn't deceive him; not any more that already had, at least.

"Fish-sama?"

The other man's expression darkened, the edges of his thin lips curled slightly as his eyebrows shot up.

"What did you just call me?"

"Fish-sama." Naruto announced, now with a little more confidence. "Why aren't you blue?"

The man pursed his lips, crossing his hands over his chest muttering something about stupid shrimps trying to be too smart for their own good.

A slow smile started spreading on Naruto's face. Now he was absolutely sure that the nervous spectacled man was his Fish-sama. The morning had just taken a turn for the better.

"Fish-sama!"

Laughter brimmed in his large cerulean eyes as he clapped his hands as he danced a jig around the man, giggling and clapping his hands.

"Fish-sama!"

"Stand still." Fish-sama snapped "You can at least try to act like a human though I understand how difficult that must be for a monkey boy such as yourself."

"You came to see me!"

"I did not!" Had Naruto been more experience he would have noticed the little too much vehemence in his words. "I came with a friend."

"Oh" Naruto's face fell. "I see." His lower lip trembled.

"I like the sheath, though I kind of expected orange"

"You like it?" Naruto was instantly diverted. "I did try to find orange cloth but I didn't get any." He looked away, his fingers tightening around the blue sheath. "Shall I make you one? You could keep sword-sama in it like I keep Stick. By the way where is sword-sama?"

"I doubt you'll find enough cloth for that?" He smirked unpleasantly, slightly amused. "Samehada is with me, disguised as I am."

"Oh." Naruto digested his words thoughtfully. "Why would disguise yourself? Can I do it? Can I be anything I want? I want to be Fuun-hime!"

"Sometimes it's useful to be some one else. I suppose you could do it and you can be anything you want through the right chakra manipulation." His voice was even, even though he was massaging the bridge of his nose, then his eyes widened. "Whoa Shrimp! You want to be Fuun-hime? You want to be a girl?"

"Fuun-hime isn't a girl Fish-sama!" He scowled up at the taller man. "Fuun-hime is Fuun-hime!" It was then that a wonderful idea occurred to him. "Is this your first time in Konoha?"

"Yes."

The answer was curt.

"Good!" Naruto grabbed his hand grinning. "Then I'll show you around."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tsume let out a soft throaty growl rushing up the narrow wooden stairs, skidding to a halt in front of a modestly sized wooden door. Ignoring the varying degrees of warnings and skulls that threatened death to any who dared enter beyond its border she raised a fist and banged heavily on the door. There was a slightly charred smell wafting up from the kitchen and it did very little to improve her mood.

With an irritated sigh she lifted her hand and banged on the door.

This time there was a slight creak and the door swung violently open.

"Kiba, how many times do I …" The dark haired girl who stood at the doorway skidded to a halt, valiantly trying to school her features into a less hostile expression. "Oh. Hi mom. I thought you were Kiba."

"That much is evident." Tsume pushed past her, wrinkling her nose at the general disorder of the room. "And I suppose that's why you couldn't hear me when I was calling you."

"Sorry mom."

The apology was vague, almost distracted.

Tsume frowned. Abandoning her efforts to straighten the item called the bed, she turned towards her daughter. Her lips pursed into a thin line as dark eyes swept over her dark haired eldest and her three companions, all of whom seemed glued to the television set. In this condition it was highly unlikely that anything she said had gotten through to them.

"Shut that thing off Hana." She snapped. "And you three." The three large dogs lounging in front of the Television set looked at her surprised. The eldest whined a little looking at her with melting brown orbs. Nimaru wasn't particularly brave but he was crafty, even Tsume had to admit that. "Out!"

"Oh no… Mom!"

Hana's voice was distraught, almost like a wail.

"What is it?" Tsume asked, her previous annoyance gone.

"It's Ranmaru." Hana's face was pale, large eyes shining with unshed tears. "He's dead."

"Of course not dear."

Tsume said calmly, placing her hands on her hips. It was at times like these that she found it difficult to remember that her daughter was already a chunin.

"But I just saw the latest episode," Hana exclaimed, sniffing. "That evil genius Fishface pushed him off the cliff when he tried to protect Fuun-hime" The brothers let out a mournful moan.

She put a hand on Hana's thin shoulders, smiling into her eyes.

"Ranmaru can't die." She kept her voice even, reassuring. "The viewers would sue the producers for something like that. The ratings would drop like hot coal. So don't worry about it."

Hana smiled tremulously casting a last look at the television set that was playing the closing theme of the popular show. Ichimaru brushed his ash grey coat against his mistress's legs, almost as if to cheer her up, his pink tongue lolling out of his mouth.

"Any way dear." Tsume inserted a hand into the pocket of her stained apron and produced a slip of paper. "I think you were supposed to report for your mission today." She waved it front of her daughter's startled face.

"Oh #$" Hana snatched the parchment from Tsume's hands.

"Hana!" Tsume's voice contained a thinly veiled warning. She had no idea where her daughter had picked up language like that and she didn't like it one bit.

"Sorry" Hana blushed softly, her eyes running over the paper. "I have to run mom." She started gathering her things in a frenzied manner.

The brothers observed her wagging their tails but obviously confused by the recent turn of events.

"You will." She remarked in a rather long suffering tone. "After you have had your breakfast." She added sternly. "It's burnt pancakes."

Hana groaned making Tsume smile a little.

"It's your fault you know. I burnt them when I had to come fetch you personally"

She turned and walked out her daughter followed dejectedly, apparently resigned to her fate.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

There were some who would have defined Konoha as a beauty.

He agreed.

Konoha was a beauty.

There was something surreal in the way the houses sprung up on either side of the winding roads like an array of colorful mushrooms, the way children rushed past him laughing as they chased after an elusive ball, the way people chatted with each other, arguing over the price and sharing the latest gossip, the way two lovers wrapped their fingers together when they thought that no one was looking …

He just wasn't blind to her stripes.

His sharp eyes carefully picked up the ninja outposts tucked in unobtrusively between the brightly colored stalls and the occasional flash of steel.

He admired Konoha's camouflage.

His eyes returned to the mop of unruly golden hair. Naruto was straining every muscle his little body trying to steer him through the crowd, occasionally letting a small giggle escape him.

Kisame felt mildly amused at the little blonde's antics.

The kid was doing his chakra thing again. Kisame was having some trouble reading Naruto's chakra signature. For a detached moment he wondered why somebody so small had developed such an unusual technique and used it almost reflexively.

Hiding in plain sight was something that people had to be trained in. It was not something that came naturally, unless …

"Fish-sama."

He felt the tug on his fingers, looking down he noticed that he had stopped walking and the monkey was red and sweaty in an effort to drag him forward. He allowed his feet to be directed, while making a mental note to have a discussion with the puppet master about chakra control the next time he returned to the lair.

"The ninjas and civilians live together?"

It was first thing he had said since they had left the grove, a dismal effort at small talk.

"Where else would they live?" Naruto enquired quizzically.

"Right."

His eyes rested on a girl inspecting several shiny kunais casually displayed at a window, a packet of oranges dangling from her arms. The lives of civilians and ninjas were so intricately woven together that they almost seemed like halves of the same sphere.

Pseudo peace …

Ah…

Konoha was truly a village of subterfuge.

"Oh yeah." The kid wheeled around to face him grinning, jerking him out of his reverie. "I'll beat you today." He announced like he was making a casual remark about the weather.

'Right.' He adjusted his spectacles. "In this lifetime or the next, shrimp?"

"I practiced" Naruto said earnestly.

Kisame resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"I'll understand if you're scared though." He was observing his sandaled feet innocently.

"We'll just have to see what you can do now, won't we." Kisame smirked, amused by the child's audacity. "I can't have you thinking I was scared."

Naruto clapped his hands gleefully.

"Let's go then, Fish –sama!"

'The kid thinks we're going to the movies.'

Naruto knew his way around the aimlessly meandering streets. For a while, Kisame was busy trying to memorize the basic pattern of the roads but surprisingly he was having very little success. After all Konoha was the village hidden in the leaves, its architecture resembled the many winding branches of a tree, chaotic and unplanned.

He would get the hang of it.

Eventually.

"That's the Huuyga compound. I don't like those white eyes much. They're mean."

The kid shot in bits of information during their sightseeing.

"That's the Uchiha compound." He pointed to another large gate painted with the fan, declaring the secluded area as another clan compound. "Don't like them either." He added cheerily.

They passed along other prominent ninja clan compounds, none of them finding favor in the bright blue eyes.

"You seem to dislike every one Shrimp." He had enquired briefly in the middle of their tour. "Is there any one you like?"

Naruto paused, his face scrunching in thought. "Sure I do." His expression brightened. "There's Ayame and Teuchi and Jiji and …" He paused. "You."

Kisame had forgotten what it was like to be stunned.

"Look. That's the Hokage monument!" Naruto declared not without pride.

Kisame followed the direction of the stubby little fingers. The faces of the previous Hokages stood guard on Konoha, looking down over them from the harsh cliff that surrounded their beloved village like a crown. It was an awe inspiring structure and if he cared for that sort of stuff he would have called it what an exemplary work of art.

'What do I do? Clap'

"It's …" Despite his cynicism he recognized the structure's true purpose. It was Konoha's show of power, her Pride. He understood Pride. "It's nice. I guess"

Naruto smiled pointing to the very tip of the mountain.

"And that's where I am going to beat you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kisame stopped casting a glance over his broad shoulders.

Naruto was a mess. The threadbare shirt he wore was now almost reduced to tatters, the golden hair dull with dirt and dust and there were angry bruises all over his pale skin. Despite the obvious the fact that his leg was paining him, he hobbled after him in a desperate attempt to keep up with his long strides.

Again Kisame had that strange sensation of déjà vu.

The boy looked up.

"Don't worry Fish-sama." Blue eyes gleamed, mistaking his silence for worry. "I heal real fast." He grinned.

"So you do."

He hadn't missed how fast the blue black bruises were fading.

Or …

The spar with Naruto had been …illuminating. It was something that would require much analysis later.

The boy's face fell. "I couldn't beat you. I didn't stand a chance." His lower lip quivered a bit. "Bet you don't want to play with me anymore?"

"And give up the immense satisfaction of beating you into a pulp?" He raised an eyebrow noticing the rapid change of expressions on the boy's face. "I think not." His thin lips curled slightly. 'What the hell am I saying?'

"You mean…" The smile that broke on Naruto's face was blinding in its intensity. "Fish sama." The voice trembled and the cerulean eyes seemed to glitter.

Kisame watched all the signs with rising panic.

'O great, now the kid thinks I'm some kind of a superhero.'

"Oh my god!"

He almost jumped over his skin when the deep honeyed voice washed over him.

Rudra was staring at him, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"This is not what it looks like…"

Rudra's glance swept over him and the little blonde. "So that's why." Arching eyebrows rose as understanding dawned on him. "I never expected you were of that type."

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So, tell me what you think. Reviews are the sustenance for my parched soul. :)