Everything in my life

by Porcelain.Memories

An ORPHAN child with a dark past,HARUNO SAKURA is acclaimed to be the BEST cold-blooded CIA AGENT and ASASSIN, training under OROCHIMARU. But the price she paid was loneliness and inability to love. That, until she is being entrusted with a crucial MISSION:protect SASUKE and his reputed company from a secret exclusive CRIMINAL organization,while posing as his personal MAID.

3. The stratagem of the Lorane - I hate him

**CHAPTER 2**

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*****[Ooooooooooooo}{oooooooooooooO]******

EvErYtHiNg

In

My

LiFe

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6.15 am, Ravenna Italy, Sakura Haruno`s personal villa

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Beep..beep….beep…

'Rise and shine my dear fellows, for this is a new cheerful day for the gorgeous inhabitants of our so beloved tow-'

…CRACK!

A well placed and so many times practiced punch on the annoying alarm clock, successfully silenced the equally annoying radio announcer, who, as usual, took an overdose of her disgusting charms, trying her best to make her listeners` morning more pleasant, with a good wake up call, in that sugary fake voice that made Sakura`s stomach take a sharp U-turn.

Just as her Papa Orochimaru, Sakura was anything but a morning person she was not. Seriously, as far as she was concerned, whoever invented mornings should have been tied by a large trunk and tickled until he went dead of too much laughter. That was a sinister death the pink haired agent would deem appropriate for such a vile person.

And it was raining as well, the clouds looking grey and angry. "Great, my beautiful, silky and slightly curled hair will look worse than the wig they gave me…" Sakura continued to mumble while heading down to her fully equipped fancy kitchen and dig in.

A bowl of her favorite cereals with tropical fruits and the dietetic yoghurt were enough to brighten up her foul mood. She let her back rest on the kitchen counter, not bothering to turn on the lights, listening to a local radio station as she did whenever she had to occupy that empty space.

Emptiness…was a strange feeling that she grew to both detest and cherish ever since she was a little kid. She had Orochimaru, Tsunade, Anko and Karin to make up for the lack of family and pull her away of the infinite solitude that was rooting down the most secluded pits of her heart, but there was something more meaningful and deeper missing from her life and it started to nag her more and more.

"I think I am losing my damn mind…" Emerald lazy eyes were roaming through the vast space of her house, trying to figure out where all the coldness and feeling of void inside her was coming from, not able to put her finger on the sudden sadness and anxiety creeping under her skin. "Oh well…better not prologue my suffering further…"

While the Sound agent was intently munching on her food, her mind drifted to the latest mission of her working undercover as a maid for a very prominent figure in Japan and not only, founding herself unsure of how was she supposed to approach him.

"Heh…with a bazooka…or my Bo Staff." She let out a small unsure smile at that, realizing that it would have been indeed a very good idea to not discard his file the day before, like she was bearing all the universal truths, realizing that even though she found the idea of spending all the time in the company of a man that would probably treat her with superiority and arrogance, troublesome, there was still a small chance of him being more original than the others.

Hasn't life taught Sakura not to jump into conclusions and judge the others based on her own preconceptions and throw shallow unnecessary bashings at a person she didn't even come in contact with, until she personally met that Uchiha and see with her own eyes what kind of character was hidden under the mask of the perfect role model in their modern society.

"Maybe he is actually quite timid." The beautiful agent took a guess. "…or maybe is short and has an inferiority complex. Or has a big curled up nose or a hairy chest. Or maybe…yeah…maybe…he is much more than he lets the others believe…" That was her conscience speaking and Sakura found herself thinking about a person whose face she has never seen before.

"Uchiha Sasuke…is just a name among many others…a reputed one, but still just a name…I wonder what lies between the walls of it and how is he coping with all the attention he gets from the others…what…"

She shook her head in disbelief, trying to get rid of the train of thoughts that bloomed inside her troubled mind all of sudden, trying to keep her convictions in place and not get intimidated by the unknown. "…no, he is like all the other damn rich pests that work for him. He must be like all the others!" She tried to assure herself.

Inwardly, the Sound agent knew that the unspoken words were 'I hope he is just the way I view him, either ways, I wouldn't know what my reaction to him should be,'

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There was a common perception among the other CIA agents when it came to their opinion on Sakura and they all shared the same thoughts: she was a merciless agent who would never falter when it came to successfully conducting her mission, never forgetting what the orders she has been given were, choosing to follow them suit, like the very Bible, not backing away from killing her targets with cold blood, watching their lives surge from their veins under her impassive stare, having the same calm, but ruthless demeanor as the people that served as her role models.

In reality, they knew nothing about how different from the image the others have built based on their own prejudices and attached it to a face that came close enough to their idea of Sound assassin.

Sakura was a very lonely girl, with a heart that shed bloody tears each night, whenever remorse was creeping up from the confinements of her guilty mind and plagued her dreams, preventing her to rest and it took a toll on her body.

Even if there were many people to cherish her and praise her for her inner gentleness and amazing skills, the forest green eyed lady never found the true meaning of being complete and have all the joy that true loved stirred upon a pumping in enchantment heart.

Ironically, how Sakura always liked to think about herself being an untamed spirit, able to spread her curious wings and dart towards the infinite azure, searching for devotion, but found no precise direction she should follow.

Not only the cold silent witnesses of her despair that were the walls of her home were constricting her mind, burning her resolve, ruthlessly reminding her of how truly alone she was and how many things were there for her to discover, but the need to grow attached to someone, to the point she would lose herself in a maddening pool of fluttering ladybirds blooming in her chest, stirring feelings she had no idea she could possess down her soul, was getting her suffocating.

"Love…Can I-" Sakura was hearing it everywhere she go, but the concept was still so alien for her, even though there were many admirers that would have killed to have her undivided attention, but even an inexperienced woman like she was, was able to see superficiality behind their façade and it was not that kind of strong emotion she was looking for. "…I want to feel that too…see that with my own eyes…how it changes people."

Sakura`s resolve never appeared as feeble in public, because she did her best to keep her chin at the same level with the noble ones and her straight proud walking was giving her a hint of elegance and sensuality, in an unique exquisite combination, that only added to the mystifying alluring aura she radiated wherever she went. And she got both jealousies, envy stares, along with admiration.

The Sound assassin has made the smooth dignified façade an art, skillfully let the others believe that she lead a perfect existence, hiding the alienation into the bottomless abyss of her tragic childhood, ardently longing to have any form of insight about her past and parents.

Wasn't history the one that gave each individual an identity and helped them follow the steps that Destiny had designed for him, in order to succeed?

So Sakura naturally found herself wondering, in her moments of despair and depression, whether if she didn't have any knowledge of her own ancestors, would her personality be able to bloom from nothingness and allow her to become a majestic Phoenix bird, with an enchanting melody and a mystical appearance?

While Sakura was slowly making her way towards her bathroom, her mind continued to drift on the many unanswered questions she had about her existence and the path she should pursue, trying to come up with a new resolve.

She quickly unclad from her silk Japanese embroidered nightgown and navy lingerie, discarding them aimlessly on the floor, stepping under the hot steam, looking for her chocolate shower gel, washing off the invisible dirt from her pearl unblemished smooth skin, that was glued to her like a tattoo from the very first day her hands took a life.

Was she honestly willing to give Destiny a chance like she did on that Christmas day, when she met Orochimaru, and view her departure as a test Life had in stock for her to prove herself how many flaws she still had and what were the things she had to dedicate her time to work on, in order to steadily emerge from the shadows and proudly call herself a complete woman?

Sakura had no answer for that. Her hatred towards the politicians and businessmen was escalating quickly up to the peak and she had no way to forgive the harsh world for all the wrongs it did on her when she most needed support.

The emerald eyed girl wouldn't lie and state she wouldn't have liked to feel as carefree as a gentle cherry blossom petal dancing unrestricted in the soft spring breeze, but ever since she has joined the CIA she found herself pushing all the emotions back to the box of treasure that her heart was and completely dedicate her life to her missions.

It was the only mechanism of defense she found to make up for all her insecurities and secret desires and until she was going to find that certain one to entrust the secret key to her slipping brilliance, she was going to portray the Goddess of war, Athena, whose name has been entrusted to her to bear during missions.

After finishing her daily morning routine, Sakura exited the bathroom, using a large pink towel to wrap her delicate toned body with, looking for the hair drier. "The hell did I put that thing…"

She was checking all the drawers, mentally facepalming for forgetting that Karin has borrowed it and never returned the said device. "…I am going to totally make her buy me a new one. And a Tiramisu. A big one. Bitch." She would have to dry her long velvet locks with the towel and she barely had time left.

Nevertheless, while she kept her head bent down, rubbing her head with the towel, her thoughts flew towards the people that made a difference in her life, meaning the Sound gang. She wouldn't be a hypocrite and state that life has been completely unfair with her, because it was totally not the case. She was richer than she would have ever expected.

Orochimaru was acting as the father she never met. During her training, when she had to learn the basics and had a difficult time in adjusting to the hectic schedule and get used to depend on the others and interact with her colleagues, he was almost always there to guide her steps and give her the proper advice in every situation, never breaking the promise he made since they ever met.

It was the Otokage Sakura would feel no restraint to call at 3 a.m in the morning to talk about the monsters that racked her conscience and tried to feed from her most feared nightmares, made of white gigantic snakes that tried to steal her body. It was him that told her about how much history did those mythical creatures had, in the form of symbols of reincarnation and luck, ceasing away the demons.

And as his self assumed role of a paternal figure, present in all the important moments of her life, the stoic, but gentle man was there to helped her finish her studies and become erudite.

The Otokage proved himself a genius that was living to his reputation, being good at everything and passing his knowledge down to the one he so dearly looked for, witnessing her unfold her aptitudes like a graceful lotus flower, learning everything she needed to successfully becoming not only his best agent, but his and his wife Anko`s pride and joy.

Everyone that met Anko was able to see her quirky demeanor and her unique almost bizarre straightforward way of dealing with tings, but nonetheless she welcomed Sakura into her life, acting like both a mother and a friend, along with Orochimaru, being the total opposite of him.

There were many things that the pink haired agent has learnt from the much older woman and all of them permitted her to transcend her shy and collected resemblance with the poor runaway from the orphanage girl and bring her innate lioness attitude to the light, turning her into a deadly feline, with a studied genteel fierce and unparalleled wisdom.

Then, there was Uzumaki Karin, an unusual tremendously gorgeous looking natural red headed, who was like a reminisce of her once deceased best friend, Isaribi, letting Sakura experience a new form of bond that was able to connect her with a total stranger, to such a deep level that she grew to unfaltering admit that she viewed Karin as her own sister.

The seductress was a professional and an insanely talented agent, that could pull any seduction assassination mission like it was a walk in the park and still look as nonchalant as ever. She had an intriguing way of leisurely let herself lose while they met, acting like a youthful cheerful girl, materializing in the form of making Sakura do many foolish things, that brought colors into her life and painted her monochrome existence into all the shades of the rainbow.

Sakura couldn't have pictured Karin looking more ethereal than running barefoot on her very own mansion's backyard, at 2 am, with her funky cut red hair free of her usual blue ribbon binding, chanting, to the world to hear and to the falling meteor shower August rain, all the popular choruses from the never ending old school songs they both grew up with, as a token of their undying forever young spirits.

Not only she never hid anything from her friend, but Sakura adored her long hours of shopping with Karin until they made sure they would have no more place into their wardrobe to shove their new branded clothes, but she enjoyed their girl talks, while sipping a hot coffee or eating their most cherished desserts.

Sakura was a Tiramisu addict and she was not holding back from tasting it whenever she got the chance. And clubbing would never be the same without her red headed insane friend, swinging her hips on whatever melody the DJ played, drinking strong beverages and not ashamed to get drunk in front of her best friend.

And Tsunade Senju, the maternal figure in Sakura`s life and a woman she would always look up to with a solemn sort of respect and admiration she would only show in front of Orochimaru.

From how to delicately perform the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, like a true sophisticated geisha, to correctly perform complex martial arts moves, with a flawless in her executions and an easiness to defy gravity, like a graceful gazelle, Tsunade had deep knowledge over everything.

And the busty golden haired woman made sure Sakura developed under her close eyes and strict supervision, in order to become, not a reputed assassin, but an eloquent lady, that never lost her ineffable and unmatched feminine demeanor, as the true value of her heart, despite the darkness that the job as an agent required, never losing her sight over what was truly important: her polished crystal like purity and self trust.

No one has been able to fully realized the importance of teaching Sakura how to completely and surely overcome her hesitancy through elegance, sensuality, taste and refinement and defy the already corrupt world's vulgarity with class, subtlety and wisdom in her every step.

And it was thanks to Tsunade that Sakura has grew to be a beauty and a shining star in the sky, wearing herself as royalty, whenever she was not in a dangerous mission.

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While the jadeite eyed lady was casually making her way to her large wardrobe and pick something fancy to wear and lift up her foul mood, she couldn't help but place her palm over the small of her back, wincing once, when a sudden sharp pain descended down her column, alerting her to not overdo it.

"Damn, this is going to take ages to heal…" She took baby steps towards the adjacent room where all her expensive silk lousy dresses and chiffon embroidered blouses were neatly expecting her to come and make her choice, cursing loudly the people responsible for giving her the back ache of the century. "…stupid Akatsuki and their incompetence…"

The only reason why Akatsuki`s latest mission, involving the dangerous adventure of chasing one of the Lorane`` henchmen they encountered by chance, while working on their own cases, was that the Sound got involved and provided backup.

Much to the Hokage`s dismay, their rival office once again proved their value in the CIA, not only saving their mortal enemies from a shameful failure, but getting the chance to publicly humiliate them for their lack of resolve, skill and intuition.

Orochimaru had the time of his life while using his fine irony to mock Tobirama and his barbaric and inefficient methods of battle strategy and he even went as far as to let him know that whenever he would find himself at loss, the generous Otokage would gladly help him with a little intelligent advice.

It was in that moment when everyone witnessed the furious Akatsuki leader targeting his other equally feared counterpart, Orochimaru, with a Bohemia crystal vase, while he left his office, smirking at his obvious frustration.

"Aish…" Sakura prompted her heel on the ground, placing her hands down her curvaceous hips, akin to what Tsunade did whenever she loved to appear bossy, curling a fine eyebrow at the amount of elegant fabrics revealing in front of her. "…why is it so difficult to be a woman?"

Needless to say that the talented Sound agent never forgot how she started and how important was to realize the luck she had to encounter the Sound's leader himself and get such an opportunity to make a better living, so she still kept the scars she got from the darker periods of her existence, as a reminisce of the perseverance and humbleness a living should keep in mind, no matter how high he was, or how many zeros his bank account had.

But it didn't mean that she had to deny herself the small pleasures a young woman head, in search for her feminine charms and identity, in the form of her passion for luxury products to enhance her natural allurement and refined tasteful outfits, to fit her soft precise lines and curves.

She always worked ten times harder than the other CIA colleagues of hers and everything she owned was just a praise for a well done job and her unfaltering dedication and struggle.

Of course she appreciated money more than the rest of the people who have not been deprived by it like she was, but she had her moments of escaping her tremendous hectic schedule and go into long shopping sessions with her friends.

"Well…considering the fact that is the last time I will be wearing my precious babies…why not making the best of it?" With a new found confidence, Sakura handpicked a navy Dior silk and velvet sleeveless blouse, with a subtle hint of cleavage, elegantly molding towards the small rounded bones of her slim hips, complemented by a light caramel leather middle length conic skirt, in the same shade as her wavy curls, cascading sensually down her shoulders and a pair of golden high heels to express her womanhood and make her toned milky legs look longer.

Not dwelling much on what clutch should she find to match the perfect attire, Sakura casually applied a bit of blush on her small cheeks and a pastel pink eye shadow to add to the innocent touch of her angelic features. "Not bad…"

A subtle ghost of a smirk crept upon her glossy nude lips when she caught the sight of her in the large mirror. "…I wonder what would that Uchiha say if I would totally not take into account Papa`s advice and…"

She slapped her forehead once, already heading outside her stylish white painted mansion, not believing what insane thought bolted down her mind. "What the heck am I fantasizing about...honestly…?" The confused lady shook her head once to get rid of the nagging whisper of her conscience, tapping Karin's phone number.

A cheerful voice welcomed Sakura from the other side of the line, belonging to her always too stirred up red headed friend, making the Sound agent wonder just what was the red headed always doing to constantly charge her with such energy.

Though…she got some not very pure ideas of what exactly was that pervert doing and with who. "Buon giorno, you are talking to the hottest woman in Italy, please take a number and wait for my autograph."

Sakura locked her front door, mentally asking herself why was she waiting for her friend to pick her up and not head straight to her convertible and meet her there?

Oh yeah, Karin insisted to give her a ride to the mall, because in her opinion, Sakura was a boring driver that always stuck to the rules and it was cramping her reputation. "Karin, why are you so happy in the morning?"

"Because unlike that oblivious always frowning virgin friend of mine, I have what the others would call a l-i-f-e." The red headed agent made sure Sakura understood every syllable she so suavely muttered, much to her discomfort.

Sakura has been handed missions where she had to blend into different circles, such as drug dealers or human trafficking organizations, but she never had to actually have that kind of men contact, which only meant she was still an innocent lady, with no male experience whatsoever.

"If making a living means flirting with every loser that crosses your door and kidnap him to accomplish your own sadistic fantasies you picked from Anko, then I would rather let the floor swallow me."

"Well…what can I say, that is the perfect attitude you got there to chase away all the hotties and die a virgin. And no, I am not going to help you find the perfect cat when you are going to get old and single." Of course, not only the auburn eyed Uzumaki agent, but the other colleagues of their, meaning Hidan and Sasori always had a cruel pleasure to bring up her pure state into their conversation and make fun of her.

She didn't mind, because their general eccentric and debauched demeanor, combined with their more than revolting hobbies and points of interest placed them among the lunatic that have climbed the mental hospital's fence.

But that didn't mean they were not annoying and persistent in their stupidity. "Just drop that already and bring your ass here right this instant. Where are you, by the way?"

Karin answered serene and totally not bothered by the fact that she was late and her friend had a plane to catch later on. Time held no value for women that lived for the moment, like her. "Home, where else? Stop being so impatient, it makes you look distressed and clingy. Men hate that."

"Home as in…your one? Because if you make me wait until your freaky lover boy wakes up and-"

"Jeez Sakura, relax. I am at my house, ok? Gosh…you made me apply too much mascara. Now my eyelashes are going to look like spider's legs. I will be there in fifteen minutes." She assured a growing nervous Sakura. The said girl was already fuming and plotting revenge. She absolutely loathed people being late.

"Fifteen minutes? This is only the time you need to chose your heels and comb that eccentric hair of yours, you weirdo." Sakura already had her schedule planned and she didn't like changes in the program. She had to go to drive to the airport and she had to be two hours earlier to make it through the checking point.

"It is called stylish and you are envious and I am ready to bet you are scowling as well."

"Get here already, we have stuff to do." Sakura cut her short, hanging on her laughing like crazy Karin. That girl was her friend. It just gave the Sound agent a throbbing headache.

"Yeah yeah…just wait and see. I will make it in ten."

"Hm…show off". Sakura couldn't get how police never caught Karin, for she was seriously racing on the roads. But then again, who would drive a Jaguar Lyonheart at speed limit? "I bet she is in for another fine. Papa is going to scold her." She inwardly smirked.

Her friend didn't nave the concept of speed limit in her vocabulary, almost always getting entangled with the police officers that were either giving her fines, or were falling for her well practiced flirts and she got away with it.

The Uzumaki lady was a pirate of the roads and a drive with her was like parachuting from a flying at top speed jet. It took Sakura much time to get used to the feeling of having her heart racing down her throat and let go of her seat belt, while she was praying for her life into the passenger seat.

"She is going to kill somebody one day, I am sure of it."

Although, she was not that lame like one really hungry Uzumaki Naruto, along with his equally dumb and hungry friend Inuzuka Kiba, who once broke into the ramen shop, just to be the first to taste the new noodle recipe, being detained by the police officers and giving Tobirama one hell of a trouble to get them out of arrest.

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It took Karin exactly ten minutes of driving like a Road Runner, scaring the other drivers, parking carelessly in front of the green fence of Sakura`s home, grinning at her friend. Sakura was having her hands folded around her full chest, tapping her fingers impatiently on her arm, frowning at the red head lady.

"You are getting on my nerves." "Good morning to you too, honey. Now save that scary look for the dentist and put a smile on that pretty face of yours."

Karin said with an innocent look on her face. Sakura rolled her eyes at her friend, opening the door and throwing her body on the passenger seat, not bothering with the seat belt. As if such a minor thing would be able to save her life in case of an accident.

The way Karin drove was going to project them straight through the window like NASA rockets. "How can I possibly smile when my life is going to be ruined for God only knows how long?!" Karin could sense the distress radiating through her emerald eyed friend's every pore, though she was trying her best to put on a nonchalant mask and act like she was angry, when inside, she was probably melting in panic.

She turned the ignition on and stepped on the gas, bolting down the street, towards the mall, though the first thing that rooted inside her mind was a fancy small café and something sweet for a friend who looked like she was ready to attend her own funeral.

"I can imagine what is bothering you Cherry, but I want to hear all the details."

"You are going to mock me like yesterday. And thank you very much, the fact that all of you were laughing really helped. Fucking Hell…" Sakura`s tone was harsh and unleashed, but she didn't have to fake a ladylike attitude in front of her best friend. Karin understood and she appreciated her for the patience she shown her.

"…I want Tiramisu." The jade eyed agent turned her head over her shoulder to face a relaxed red headed, pouting childishly at her. "Rin…I want my cake with double layers of ladyfingers…"

"I know Cherry, we are going to get you one the moment I pass this snails." Karin stepped violently on the brake, barely avoiding a collision with the car in front of her that stopped suddenly, cursing him like a sailor. "Fucking son of a…why, are those retards dead or is the Universe conspiring to get me insane?!"

"Why don't you change the line? We can take the longer route that crosses the bridge." Sakura suggested. She too hated traffic morning jams and the drivers were rushed and not very polite.

"Fucking hell…hold on." Sakura looked in horror how Karin boldly darted to the left line, avoiding the cars that were coming from the opposite direction, until she got to the other car, casually giving them the middle finger, when they honked her.

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When they got to the mall's parking lot, the emerald eyed girl promptly jumped out of the car, pinching her cheeks just to make sure she was still alive and feeling pain. "You…are not normal."

"I am doing my best, thank you." Karin locked her car, hooked her hands with her friend, both entering their favorite café. Their menu was full of cafe and hot chocolate assortments, as well as Belgian Chocolate and cakes that made woman squirm in ecstasy.

They got a table for two people near the window, to have a better view on the wandering around people and the stupid things they bought. After the waiter took the order, Karin wasted no time in resting her elbows on the small round table, playing with the small mushroom like candle, eying her friend intently. "Spill it girl."

"What…?"

"You don't look too good. Another sleepless night?" Karin asked her friend with a hint of wariness in her tone, mixing her coffee. "Cherry?"

The emerald eyed agent darted her gaze from the appetizing cake she was enjoying towards her red headed friend, nodding reluctantly once, not bothering to conceal the obvious edgy feelings. "Yeah...I guess I am just..."

"Worried? Because of the mission?" Of course, Karin knew where all the self confidence ended and it had to deal not only with the lack of deeper interaction with the opposite sex, but also with the relentlessness the idea of the temporary move to an alien country, posing as a poor servant, with no perspective. "Don't be. You will be fine, I am sure of it."

The reluctance blooming into the golden viridian irises assured the auburn pair orbs that were looking closely to every inner turmoil washing through her friend's self, of the obvious reticence at the mere idea of she, being forcefully thrown back in her teenage years, when she has been poor and misjudged.

"I so want to believe you Rin, trust me but...there are so many things that could go wrong and it just make me wonder if Papa chose the most suited person for this mission."

"Do you doubt his decision?" A perfect shaped crimson eyebrow perked up at the way Sakura was fidgeting with the small silver spoon she was not using for its purpose, having a distracted way of expressing herself.

"On a more serious note, you have to admit that your cobra looking Papa is very wise. He wouldn't have sent someone that he deemed as inappropriate."

"I don't say he got it wrong by giving the task to me. I only say that I wonder if he realizes that it implies more than just keeping Lorane away from..." Sakura came to a brief halt, furrowing her delicate eyebrows, considering her chosen of words once again. "...him."

"You are so afraid of the Uchiha, that you even avoid saying his name?" Karin mocked friendly. "This is unusual for my usually level headed friend. Why all the hesitance?"

Sakura's next words oozed genuine feelings. She parted her rich light caramel locks over her shoulder and ear, speaking softly. "I don't know him. Sasuke." His name had a strong uneven resonance, the bright agent has learnt and rolling it out of her mouth came quite natural. "He is a stranger...from a world I don't accept nor begin to understand."

"We were strangers at first too, but it didn't stop us from becoming inseparable. "Karin reasoned, trying to keep a neutral professional voice to add to her credibility, even though she was well aware that her colleague and best friend would never refrain to ask for an advice.

"It is not the same thing. Papa, you, Tsunade-shishou or Anko didn't mean to harm me or reject me. You were meant to bond from the very beginning." Her lack of self confidence started to dictate her train of thoughts, Sakura vaguely realized, but it was her perception towards the imposing Uchiha and his more than anticipated mistrust and rejection. "Like it was fated to happen."

"My guess is that you have been brainwashed by Neji Hyuga and his shit about fate and predestined occurrences." Karin shrugged once, casually sipping her coffee, trying to determine whether it needed more sugar or not. "You are gravely judging him by using false assumptions."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You have just said it yourself, Cherry. You don't know him, so how about you stop with the negative thoughts and..." The red headed looked for the best way to tell the rightful words on a clear simple way to clear the doubts from her friend's confused eyes. "...how should I say this...give him a chance."

Sakura's shimmering garnet green eyes flew open, eying her friend in awe. "An opportunity to prove himself? Is this what you mean?" Giving up her principles and view over the others was something she couldn't do on a whim, Sakura decided.

She couldn't place her trust into the others and allowing Sasuke Uchiha to change her conceptions couldn't have been done in the spur of the moment. "Because I am not going to get to know him, if this is what you try to say."

"Why are you so adamant in keeping up your walls and not try to understand the others more?" If she would be honest, Karin would venture to openly admit that CIA has changed her friend's hurt, but solar positive spirit, into a cold porcelain doll with strong beliefs in the power of vengeance and a smile that never reached her eyes. "What if he is different from the others like him? Orochimaru already stated he is serious about his job."

"And what if he is not? You know about this so called high society and their lack of concern for the others' well being." Sakura spit back, venom leaking from the inside of her tongue. "He couldn't possibly be that much of an intriguing character since he has that kind of reputation. And I am not talking about his career or academic results, although I will not make a fool of myself and say they are not impressive."

"So why do you hesitate to look at his photo then?"

Sakura elegantly sliced her Tiramisu with the small spoon, nonchalantly letting her friend know how uninterested she was. "Because I don't want to have a distorted image of him." She went on, sensing her friend's disbelief. "Pictures don't talk."

"So you want to know him better after all." Karin tried confidently. After a long chat with Anko and Tsunade, all the three women reached the genial conclusion that their little friend needed a man to bring back the blush on her cheeks and stir the latent dragonflies from the pits of her stomach to flutter in excitement. Sasuke looked close enough to the perfect opportunity.

No matter how much he loved to surround himself with luxury people and celebrities, the young Uchiha had a mysterious alluring natural charisma in the way he acted, that made him stood out, not necessary as a notorious player or businessman, but simply as a very intelligent intriguing man. Karin knew about him, for his name was on every colleague of hers lips.

Every woman that came across his features wouldn't stop fantasizing about the dark seductive heir, all except Sakura, who superficially studied his biography, over-confidently neglecting the pictures with him.

Sakura shook her head reluctantly a bit taken aback by the hesitation in her slightly quivery soft voice. "N-no. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. The fact that Lorane is on his tail is already bad enough. I feel like I have to be on two different battlegrounds at the same time."

There was a tiny whisper at the back of her hesitant stubborn mind that came close enough to her conscience that made Sakura question her own insecurities. "I don't understand how is this mission any different from the others."

Karin flashed a wicked grin, winking provocatively at her pure naive friend. "I think it has to do with your target." She went on confidently, sensing that she hit the nail on the head. "You find him interesting and it makes you uncomfortable. I don't think it is necessary a bad thing."

Sakura revealed a ghost of a smile, tentatively trying to cease away the small tremors of unknown anticipation rooting inside her at the thought of her soon to be boss.

What was that new unwanted sensation nailed to her heart, making her resolve tremble? Sasuke was just someone. Another mission she had to carry on, nothing more, nothing less. "You are just laughing at me, like you did yesterday. Such fake friends I have."

Karin rolled her eyes at that comment, flailing her hands above her head like a diva, ignoring the stares she got from the other people. "Oh, c'mon Sakura, stop being so overdramatic, will you? You are grown up woman, for fuck's sake, so stop acting like a scared kid on his first shot and loosen up. You have a one in a million chance there. Don't deprive yourself from life's little guilty pleasures."

"Why do you make it sound like I am guarding some kind of Crown Prince? He is just a man, jeez. Stop with that fangirl, is getting annoying."

"Just a man?!" Auburn eyes crept open dramatically. "Cherry, this is Sasuke Uchiha we are talking about, not just another face in the crowd. Any woman out there, me included, would sell their souls for a night with him, or even talk to him. And you get it for free!"

Sakura had an indecipherable expression playing at the corner of her jadeite eyes, while she did a small gesture with her hand at the waiter, to bring them the bill. "You can have all of him after I finish chopping him off. I will bring you pieces of him as a Christmas gift, with a red ribbon. I am not interested in him, or in what he has to..."

She unclasped her purse, looking for cash into her wallet, doing her best not to scowl at the young waiter that slipped his phone number under her napkin, while he was waiting for the tip. "...offer."

Karin saw the incident, but refrained to comment. Her friend wouldn't eye such a commoner since she has become high class herself, which was good in her opinion.

Let Sakura aim higher, meaning people like Uchiha. "I am going to hold you onto that one." Both agents stood up, leaving the café, having the males` around undivided admiration. "I bet he is going to get under your skin in no time."

"Stop with the nonsense and come help me find proper clothes." Sakura more than unceremoniously let the words come out of her mouth, much to Karin's dismay. "What the heck is wrong with all his guys trying to hit on me? First the postman, then the plumber and now a waiter."

"Don't forget all the other CIA agents, including that cute one that asked you to go to Bahamas with him, my sinister imbecile cousin, Naruto and that creepy loser neighbor of yours that sends you pralines and those weird flowers I don't know the name of." Karin had a finger lifted for each person she was listing, following her friend to the first floor of the mall they were in.

Sakura looked like someone ready to take a scythe, a dark cloak and go unleash her wrath upon the nagging mortals that had the guts to flirt with her. "Stop reminding me. It gives me the same feeling as when I parachute from a plane or do bungee jumping."

"You mean it makes adrenaline do funny things to your hormones?"

"No, it makes my insides clench and I get the urge to throw up. Those dudes are disgusting. Oh, that shop looks perfect for my undercover. Come!" She grabbed Karin's hand, pulling the girl towards one of the shops that was urban, streets fashion oriented, mostly for rebel teens. "Men are disgusting."

Karin was mentally cursing her ten inch stilettos. Her emerald eyed friend always had the uninspired bursts of running around in high heels. She got that from Tsunade that was a fact. "I swear I don't get it Cherry. How the hell is it possible for you not to have any sexual drive?" She asked incredulously, looking in dread at the shop Sakura was taking her in. "Why are we heading to that selling Halloween costumes shop?!"

"Bah...you have enough sexual cravings for both of us, so don't start with those kind of girl talk. I still have nightmares from our last girls night out. And atop complaining, I need an advice."

"Then hear an useful one: let's had in the opposite direction." When both the agents marched towards some shelves that had clothes on sale, Karin pushed her glasses up her to her nose, looking in disbelief. "You can't possibly be serious, Sakura."

The said light coffee haired girl was already swimming through the messy looking clothes that would probably make her look underage, trying to shove away the sudden feeling of uncertainty creeping down her spine at sudden deja vu she had about her previous self. "Blame Papa for this, not me. He said I have to pose as a poor orphan farmer girl in debt, so I am just doing my best to create the perfect look."

"Perfect for what? Satanist rituals?" Karin raised her high nose, approaching a stall at random, handpicking a long baggy black dress, with lace sleeves and a V cut to reveal a generous part of cleavage, studying it. "I think I have just found out where Morticia Adams got her clothes from."

"Good. If that manages to scare him, then it passes." Sakura's emerald eyes were intently scanning for articles that would be comfortable and make her look normal and pass unnoticed among the others, feeling her temples burn at the way Karin was torturing her ears with a personalized comment of every fabric she laid her disapproving stare on. "What is that? Oh, look, skinny ripped Jeans. Give me that!"

"Is this even legal? You know, you can create a trashy studied look with Cavalli and Denim as well. So save me the trouble of having my retina permanently damaged and let's get the fuck out of here, before some hot looking dude sees us."

"Yeah, right. Like Uchiha would ever believe that I afforded to buy expensive clothing with the money I made from selling milk, cheese and cow meat. Get real Rin, he is a manwhore, not a complete retard...or so I heard." Sakura already had a mound of cheap clothes, that looked like an interesting mix between a tomboy and a Goth, heading to the young cashier lady.

"...so now you care about what he thinks about you. Besides, is this how a farmer should act? Shouldn't you be like...I don't know...more western or something?"

"Hello Miss, would you like to pay cash or card?"

"I have no idea." The forest green eyed agent quickly pulled away her golden credit card, handing it to the looking in astonishment lady, already picturing how her new life would look like. She only got images and words synonyms to horrid and creepy. "Maybe. Card please."

Karin was eying her blankly. "You mean...you wrote in the CV you submitted online that you own a farm in Italy, but you know nothing about what is like to be a farm girl?" Her friend was truly something...else. Not only she was acting out of character, not doing her research of her mission in advance, but she was actually not giving it much thought either. Strange. "For real?"

"Yeah. It is not like he has any idea of that either."

"You never know. Maybe his grand-grand-grandfather owned a pretty large farm and he used to plant tomatoes or cucumbers and you are going to make a fool of yourself the first moment you will cast your eyes on him."

They both headed out of the shop to another on, while a the other guys populating the area in their vicinity were winking at them, sending knowing glances. "Well scratch that, I am sure you are so going to embarrass yourself in front of him that I am willing to bet you everything on that one."

"Why thank you for the encouraging thoughts Rin. And no, we already know what his ancestors' jobs were, and I doubt that Mangekyou specialized in farming as well. So, you lost." She gave her red headed friend a bump on her ribs with her elbow, for smiling at all the men that turned their heads over their shoulders when they passed them. Stop that!"

Karin was too flirty for her liking and Sakura was totally not in the mood. "Stop what? Acting like my age...or gender?" She half faked a surprised reaction. "Cherry, don't tell me you are going to come out of the closet!"

"You are insane, you know that? I think you are a worse clinical case than Hidan. And that guy sleeps with a freaking scythe hanging above his bed."

"I was right." Karin stated solemnly, shoving Sakura away of a shop she attempted to enter. It looked like something only a cavemen would wear, when he went bankrupt. "You need to get laid pronto honey. Those hormones of yours are already in delirium."

Sakura planted her heel on the ground, firmly opposing Karin's pulling, making her stop and follow into a normal decent looking store. "And you need medical attention. And therapy. Now come, I need toiletries and undergarments."

"Can we check on Victoria's Secret new spring arrivals?"

Sakura pursed her rosy heart shaped lips for a moment, nodding affirmatively, much to her friend's contentment. "Well...it is not like he is going to ever see me naked so...why not?"

"All right! Let's start with lingerie and night gowns!"

"Don't push it, though."

---

}{

---

A hard impassive stare shot towards the large screen that was resting on the wall, eying the concealed in the darkness features of the mysterious interlocutor.

He was radiating an aura of superiority and over confidence that was a bit contradictive with the doctrine and ideology he was promoting. "I expect good news, or else..." The silent threat lingered in the air for a brief.

His voice came out with an equal authority, worth of his reputation, not in a bit impressed by the person that has contacted him. He knew what he had to disclose, so he made it quick. "Relax. It was a success...as usual. My brother's work is flawless and their methods are smooth."

The person eying him in disbelief was not in the bit impressed by his use of traditional weapons or tactics, only pursuing his own ambition, at the cost of having to tolerate rituals he didn't quite deemed worth of attention.

"Usual? I wouldn't stretch it too far if I were you. Remember that you failed the previous one and made me lose a ton of money. Another stunt like that is going to cost us dearly." The tone became harsher and more commanding. "And you are going to take full responsibility, with everything that it entitles."

"I never forgot my way, unlike other people. No need to remind you that you are equally responsible since we are being associates." He bit back reproachful, much to his partner's dismay and growing anger, with every passing second. The odds were playing in their favor and the time to unleash pain into the world and create a new ordeal was closer than ever.

"Associates? Don't forget your place. I am your superior! And it was your own fucking job to poison that loathsome company's CEO and save me the bother of covering up for your incompetence! Should I remind you that it almost got them to...us?"

"That was something unexpected. I didn't imagine that other agents would be there as well."

"I warned you beforehand and made it crystal clear to not lower your damn guard in front of a bunch of children. But of course, you chose to defy me." The stoic partner in crimes shouted out loud to the frightening pair of lavender irises popping out of the shadows to properly face the web cam.

"On the contrary, my fellow impatient friend. They were not just children and you should have told me about their skill."

"I didn't imagine your incompetence would be that obvious!" A punch of disagreement almost cracked the neat surface of the large desk, making the pencils resting on the meat surface roll down on the floor. "Back to the main point: Uchiha Fugaku is planning to step down and let his younger son take over."

"We have already anticipated their move and we are going to deal with him accordingly."

"He is going to have a CIA agent to keep an eye on him, probably working undercover. Approach her cautiously, but when you get the chance, kill her as well." The command came as simple and impartial. They both knew that acquiring universal domination required collateral sacrifices and many difficult obstacles to overcome, but with their growing influence, nothing appeared as impossible.

A pair of sharp eyebrows shot up in surprise, taken aback by the sudden reveal. "Her? A female agent? Who is she?"

"Athena of the Sound. You know her."

"Emerald eyes blazing like sparkling diamonds under the flickering of a candle...that agent. She has taken down many of my fellows. An elite."

"And a major pain in the ass. Be careful not to lead her to us though and take advantage of the fact that she is there as well. Kill two birds with one stone. Remember that I went through Hell and back to get her do the mission."

"What so you mean you by that? You are not the one in charge to assess her the mission."

A wide vile grin welcomed the mighty Leader of the Lorane, as a memento of his partner's undeniable power and control, like a spreading lethal virus with no existing cure. "Of course not. But I was the one to make sure that the one who is responsible for this is going to do it."

"Everything to get her close to our target and separate her from her colleague's protection? A wise step of that I approve."

"I don't give a damn if you like it or not. They got involved so we have to respond. I will not fail my goal, just because some scared mice are playing the capable agents. We have to make sure everything its on place when we are going to come to the light."

He nodded once in understanding, but his aversion towards the impolite overconfident tone was getting him seek patience. They needed one another and on of them should have been the collect one, he knew.

Lorane needed a strong unfaltering leader and he was the most accurate choice. "Leave this to me. I am planning to deal with it myself. Meanwhile, there are others I have to deal with. The Charity Ball is close. That would be a good opportunity to do some...cleaning."

"On the contrary my shallow friend..." The mockery was obvious from the way the words were carelessly spoken into the speaker. They were anything but. Friendship was an alien concept in that kind of relationship. Rivalry and opposing ambitions were the ones to make a difference. "I have a very good idea of how to properly welcome the future CEO...in case you will fail again of course."

"I suggest you don't underestimate..."He started low, as his parting words, before pressing the button to end up the video call. It was making him angry. "...the power of true Pain."

The line went dead. Flashing million white dots were buzzing on the screen. "Fucking lunatic idiot..."

---

}{

Same morning, Ravenna Italy, Tobirama`s office

---

Tobirama was keeping a close eye on his agents, intently fighting the urge to snap at every of them, for creating an uproar into his office at such an early hour in the morning.

They were too loud for his liking and their blatant act of contempt was visible in the way they weren't paying attention to what tried to explain and unfortunately, it was not a one time occurrence.

His Spartan view of obedience and respect for their superiors was something he had indoctrinated into his mind, ever since he has been an aspiring agent, so it was more than natural he would have liked the Akatsuki to follow his steps and value the strict dogmas.

But that came as utopia from Tobirama`s point of view, since it appeared that all of them were suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but stubbornly refused medical help.

And the getting riled up Hokage had second thoughts in excluding the questionable composed Uchiha Itachi, who was currently sitting on the leather black armchair, with one hand elegantly holding his cup of dark coffee and the other securely keeping a thick file, letting his onyx eyes scan the content, ignoring his inattentive colleagues with a nonchalance that stirred envy.

Neji Hyuga was mirroring his apathetic demeanor, taking the vacant place beside him, on the large sofa, frowning in the direction of the eternal energetic Akatsuki agents, shaking his head in disbelief.

They initially have been summoned to discuss a very upcoming big mission that required undivided attention, but somehow, it degenerated to a very mind stimulating discussion started by no other than the office's fools, Uzumaki Naruto and Kiba Inuzuka.

From the look of it, the two blabbering and flailing friends have discovered a new ramen shop, that had a way with preparing the soup to give it a more creamy feeling and they felt the need to share the joyful news with the rest of their friends.

As if sensing a pair of ready to do permanent impalement burning down his skull, Neji shot his uninterested pale eyes up to face a very pissed off looking Tobirama, who was silently conveying a clear message, to interfere and put an end to the circus like attitude his colleagues had.

But the Hyuga heir wasn't one to give a damn about the matter, even though it directly affected him as well, in the form of a creeping painful headache, because the one that was the leader of their small team, was no other than the older Uchiha brother.

Though, by the way the placid man was enjoying his coffee like an elder in front of the fireplace in a Christmas morning, completely not paying attention to any of them, assured him of the fact that no interference was going to come from him.

He was casually studying the mission report, like he had no care in the world. 'Freakin` workaholic.' It was not like he did not appreciated the Uchihas, on the contrary, he even came as close as a friend of the younger brother as well, but it was just something into their subtle authority that made him edgy. Bunch of freaks. And they had a heated glare to match their creepy personalities, he decided.

"Are they going to finish soon? I have an appointment to manicure at 12 o'clock." Ten Ten addressed her fiancé in a bored way, lazily resting her legs onto his lap, playing on her phone, having fun killing zombies. A bad habit she piqued from Naruto.

"Probably after they tell us the molecular composition of the new ramen menu. I bet they send it to Shino for basic investigation…or worse, to Orochimaru". He answered evenly.

"Enough with the bullshit!" If there was something that truly made Tobirama`s field of view to turn on red, beside Orochimaru, was to be ignored. One couldn't possibly be thinking to avoid his presence and blabber about the most idiotic things he ever heard. "Naruto and Kiba, I suggest you two shut the fuck up, before I am going to assess you on a mission to Alaska, to deal with the whale poachers!"

His harsh voice, complemented by the deep scowl decorating his harsh features, made it sound robotic and it only stimulated Naruto and Kiba`s imagination, making them bit their lower lips to contain their snorts

"Now, to go on with the reason why we are all here. As you have read from the file I sent to you all yesterday, Lorane is on the move. We have information regarding an upcoming assassinate in Tokyo and I want to stop this before it gets out of our hands."

The atmosphere turned serious and the room grew still upon hearing the troublesome information.

"What file is he talking about?" Naruto leaned in towards Neji, whispering into his ear, completely oblivious to what was his leader talking about. He was not one to have been caught dead studying files or…studying for the matter.

"The encrypted file Hokage-sama has emailed us yesterday, regarding the Lorane. You were supposed to take a look at it and get a general idea over the possible targets and strategy." Neji replied as a matter of fact, smirking down at the way Naruto`s face grew blank, like he has been address in an alien language, by friendly small people with green antennas, from Mars.

"Dude…the hell?" An equally out of place Inuzuka elbowed his partner info his ribs to catch his attention. "Maybe we should have done this first, instead of engaging in a 9 hours session of killing monsters and zombies. Damn I don't have peripheral vision anymore, from staying glued to that screen."

Though, they took much pleasure from managing to broke their previous record.

"Who cares about that?" The cerulean eyes Uzumaki heir answered genuinely, making the other Akatsuki agents slap their forehead in astonishment at his casual attitude over such crucial matters.

"They are going to tell us anyways, that's why we are here, right?" He shot back confidently. "Huh…true that." Kiba nodded once, folding his hands upon his chest.

As the head of the Human Resources, Kiba was not only helping the CIA agents to develop and understand their capabilities and strong points, but he was taking parts in the missions as well, supporting the Akatsuki, especially when it came to the Freemasonry, who was a top priority for the entire organization.

Kisame has found the moment appropriate to join the conversation, suppressing the urge to laugh at the obviously deeply insulted Hokage and his disapproving attitude towards the childish behavior of his subordinates. "I don't understand. If we are able to have an insight of what are they plotting, isn't this supposed to be a good thing?"

Surprisingly, it was Itachi the one to enlighten him up, letting his words be known for the first time since they arrived to their Hokage`s office room, in that smooth characteristic low soothing tone. "Even if we know that they are planning to get their hands on my foolish little brother, it is meaningless since we don't have any other detail, as in, the moment when they plan to strike or the Intel they have on our own moves."

"Then why in the world are we still standing here doing group therapy, instead of taking the first flight to Japan and take care of the Teme`s ass?!" In all honesty, Naruto couldn't wait to depart to his hometown and get the chance to annoy the hell out of his self proclaimed best friend and brother, Sasuke, laughing at his funny face when he got angry.

His older version, Itachi, was no fun to begin with, because he lacked those vile glances that made grown ups tremble in fear. "As original as that might have sounded at first, Naruto…" Itachi unhurriedly flipped the page of the file he was studying, trying his best to find the proper ways to explain the most recent events to the blonde. He was in for a good heart attack, the older Uchiha was certain. "…someone else has been two steps ahead of us".

Somewhere in front of him, Tobirama`s aura turned murderous. Oh, that made him go livid. "Would you be so kind to talk in a language I am able to understand and enlighten me the mortal of what in the seven pits of Hell are you trying to say?"

The only think that Naruto was able to grasp when Itachi was involved in the sentence, it was the fragrance of the delicious butter pancakes he did. He had an equivocal way with his words that made the golden haired Uzumaki wonder if they spoke the same language to begin with. Itachi sighed visibly, pinching the bridge of his nose, exasperated.

He truly loved each of his agents, but sometimes they annoyed him, especially when they didn't understand his explanations. He was a man of few words. "To put it simply, the Sound found out about the fact that Lorane is planning to assassinate Sasuke and they have sent Haruno to guard him. Is this clear enough for you?"

For the first time that morning, the room went completely silent but it was that kind of tranquility that made the souls roll in anxiety and bewilderment, upon hearing the agent the Sound has been sent to deal with the case.

It didn't came as a shock for the most of the Akatsuki members, for they kind of expected such a skilled agent to have been appointed to supervise the young Uchiha and make sure Lorane is not going to approach him and put an end to one of the few remained in business heir that was openly opposing their reign.

But the visible tension hanging on the air rooted like willow trees near the water, when the name of their sworn rivals have been dropped by Itachi. It somehow got a more meaningful resonance and it pressed the knife more against Tobirama's back.

They have once again been caught out of guard and slow and it surged a mortifying vision of their victory into Tobirama's enraged mind. "You don't have to make it sound so obviou-" The hissing Hokage has been more than rudely interrupted by a burst of heartedly laughter, coming from the always carefree azure eyed Uzumaki.

The moment the mental images of the aforementioned people have been overlapped before his entertained vision, it took Naruto exactly one moment to throw his head backwards, slip a hand upon his stomach and laugh like there was no tomorrow, with comical tears pooling at the corner of his eyes.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…Oh my God they have sent...bwhahaha...a Goddess like Sakura-chan...straight into the Teme's cage...hahaha...fuck man, this is priceless! I hear the wedding bells hahaha!" Not only the Uzumaki's cheeks were painted with a beautiful purple hint, like he was on the verge to suffocate, but his equally rolling on the floor friend, Kiba has joined the chorus, laughing at the irony and the grotesque of the situation.

It took such skilled people to make the ridiculousness an art. "Hahaha...I can totally imagine those two role playing like...hahaha...the maid and the boss and get all kinky together haha!"

"Itachi, dude, get ready to become an uncle!" The said Uchiha snapped his glare towards the loud members of his team, feeling all his nerves paralyzed, with the exception of his throbbing left eye. "Yeah man, some agent you are. Not even your younger brother got laid before you, but he is going to be the first to get a hot bride delivered at his doorsteps, first."

Jirayia was hiding behind Kakashi, shoving his fist down his mouth, to stifle his unannounced snorts. Being the 'specialist' in the arts of being a total stalker, he had million thoughts running through his deprived mind, already having a clear vision of a new plot for the book he was working at.

Having the necessary intel on Sasuke's taste for women and parties, Kakashi found it appropriate shut his sole visibly eye in amusement, elbowing the older fiancé of Tsunade down his liver, to stop slap his shoulder and make him act like a clown as well.

Tobirama looked thorn between having a spontaneous heart attack, or murder the laughing occupants of his office, by strangling their throats with his bare hands. He had enough connections to blame it on a mission and avoid a criminal sentence. Unlike the collected Itachi, he was more vocal in expressing his disagreement, being less tactful. "Auch! What the heck-"

A loud unexpected bang filled the room, silencing the nagging commotion of laughing imbeciles, caused by an angry Hokage and his steel stapler aimed precisely at the blonde's head. "...it hurts!"

"Uzumaki...I dare you to interrupt my meeting once again and you are going to win a ticket to Patagonia and take care of the Elephant seals!".

"Wha- no way man, I am done with exotic animals! I don't want to be bitten by other freaky things, like that giant spider from-"

"Oh, can you just shut your fucking mouth up already?!" Ten Ten threw her fists in the air, hitting her fiancé in the process, on his chin, rolling her chocolate eyes when Naruto gave her the finger. "Why are we always talking about that whore again?"

"Tennie, don't call Sakura-chan like that she is not an easy woman!" The fact that Naruto had a crush on a pair of sparkling unique emerald eyes was not a secret, but the way he was voluntarily defending her case every time angered the others who hated her or the Sound.

Ten Ten on the other hand, was barely restraining the need to stab her in her chest with a sword whenever she got the sight of the beautiful agent. She didn't went deaf at all the rumors about how she got such an almighty position by fooling around with the higher ups and definitely, the aura of superiority was confirming her beliefs.

"No, of course not. She is just fucking every dick that crosses her way to get what she wants." The coffee eyed agent loathed Sakura from the bottom of her heart and had no trouble to admit it. "You know what I think? That karma has sent a slut like her to an equally manwhore like Sasuke and get a payback! I hope he breaks her heart!"

"Te Ten..." Neji was one of the agents who found the rivalry between the Sound and Akatsuki dumbfounded, so his fiancé's accusations were making him react. Itachi shared his point of view, but decided not to interfere. Women were a domain he was not excelling at.

"Oh, don't you dare to defend her too, you stupid Hyuga because you are going to take it!" She would hear none and it was already bad enough that her lover was not joining her side like he too was under her spellbound. Men were lusting after Sakura, literally drooling at her feet, on the same manner women all over the world were in hysterics when Sasuke showed his face to the crowd.

"As much as I am not fond of the Sound myself, I find it to be the best decision for now. Haruno is a very capable agent and she is tactful and subtle." Itachi started calmly, bring the voice of ration. The others were arguing and taking biased sides, much to his horror. "Working undercover for my otouto, she is the last expected to screw this mission up".

"Why can't the Weasel here be the one to baby-sit his brother instead? Wouldn't it be less suspicious if he did that?" Kiba recovered from hysterics, finding it appropriate to reason and prove the others that he too could have been serious. Not that anyone actually paid him much attention.

"Precisely for that reason, Inuzuka. Use your damn head for other things instead to only support that loud mouth of yours." Neji pressed, eying the said agent with a scowl on his face. "We can't risk to expose our team leader to any threat, since the last time we had to openly save his father's life and disclose our identities to Lorane."

The sole female occupant of the office lifted a precise eyebrow, darting her eyes from Neji to Kiba."...so instead of sending him, they chose to send Athena ,who is another agent and one almost every criminal organization knows instead? Isn't this the same shit?"

"It is not, because the Sound is used to deal with the Freemasonry and they have more battle experience." Kakashi simply pointed out. "Plus, we have to deal with other cases that don't involve Lorane as well, so we can't afford to have Itachi staying close to Sasuke all the times. He doesn't have time for this. Plus..."

He let his eye dart knowingly on Itachi`s jet ones, not finishing his sentence. Everyone knew that the two brothers were anything beside friends. If the older Uchiha loved his relative and earnestly looked out for his well-being, Sasuke swore he would on day kill him for giving up his rightful position as the next CEO and make him forcefully take over.

Sasuke despised Itachi with all his might and every family gathering, be it private or in public, always ended up bad. Tobirama decided to take the lead of the conversation, taking some files from his briefcase and throwing it aimlessly in his desk, eying his agents with a serious look. "Well...don't feel disappointed, because we are too going to take part into the show."

"You mean...you are going to make us pose as maids as well? Because I am not going to wear that damn servant's aprons-" Neji's lavender eyes parted in shock. Ten Ten smirked down at his misfortune.

"Why not? It would go well with your pretty hair." She even brushed her fingers through his soft long tresses, much to his anger. "I am not a woman!"

"With that diva attitude, he could have fooled me." Kiba whispered to Naruto in what hoped was a low tone. Of course everyone heard him and snickered.

"So...what would our task be?"

"I am glad you are so interested Ten Ten. Uzumaki Naruto, along with Hyuga Neji and you..." The said mentioned agents went all eyes and ears. "...are to pack your shit immediately and fly straight to Narita airport. From there, you are to head to our base in Tokyo and assist the Sound in collecting information about Lorane and keep an eye on their killers. As well as make sure Uchiha Sasuke and the other targeted influential people, stays safe."

Tobirama has already started to name all the things that could possible go wrong with that, in his mind.

"...you mean...I got the mission to annoy the heck out of the Bastard? Fuck yeah!" At the mention of Sasuke's name, Naruto's clear blue eyes shot opened in excitement, like he has just found out that he has been chosen as the next President. He wasted no time in jumping off the sofa, take the mission file from the desk and sprint outside the office, screaming at his colleagues.

The said couple was shaking their heads in disbelief. That didn't look promising. "Hurry up you two, I want to make it to Tokyo before Sakura-chan and see her meet Teme. I will make millions from recording the event and sell it online!"

---

"I have a very bad feeling about this." Ten Ten reluctantly followed Neji outside after they too got the files with the description of their task, leaving the other agents behind to be given another tasks. They had to pack their luggage.

"My head is aching already. And we aren't even there. Sharing the same house with that idiot...God help us..." Neji already envisioned how his following months would look like. Naruto's hyperactivity was no joke. It was like sharing the space with jealous monkeys.

"Well, what would you expect? You know how much he loves Uchiha. Aren't they like best buddies or something?" "Don't know, don't care. They are both weirdos that annoy me to no end. It would have been better if he would have joined us in the very first place."

"Shhh...don't be so loud you moron!" Ten Ten hissed to her fiancé while they did their best to act nonchalant while passing other CIA agents. "You know it was supposed to be a secret." Neji casually pushed his shoulders up, not giving a damn about that. Since they knew, it was one secret less.

"It is the truth. Sasuke would have been a good agent, you know it. I doubt he even needs the Sound's protection to start with." As hard to believe as it might sound, Sasuke has been asked to join the CIA in his high school days and become an agent, but for reasons that escaped everyone's vigilance, he blatantly refused them and chose to take over the Mangekyou and lead a boring life as a businessman instead.

It was an universal truth that Sasuke was a brilliant businessman with a sparkling genius when it came to finding impossible strategies to make the company grow, gaining respect and admiration as a very promising CEO, but his real skills were far superior.

The moment Itachi opposed his father's wish to be his successor and take over the family job, running from home and fooling everyone that he chose to pursue his dream as a broker for a small insurance company from Italy, Sasuke has been giving Fugaku's undivided praise, taking his brother's place. Itachi has been considered the black ship of the Uchiha family ever since.

Sasuke was indeed a man whose taste for stunning ladies and expensive liquor was a hot gossip, But he was definitely not another snobby rich young heir, like his business partners or young heirs his age. No, far from it.

Putting aside his deviously gorgeous looks which stole all the eyes and lustful winks and smiles, his intellect was out of charts too. Just like his brother Itachi, he was skilled in everything he did, wearing himself with an air of arrogant confidence, striking features and proud demeanor.

The younger Uchiha heir had a way of dealing with the toughest situations, revealing inspiration, vision and wisdom that was strikingly contradicting his lack of experience at such a fragile age. He was basically born to overshadow his rivals, for everywhere he went his demeanor was outstanding.

From the way he confidently walked, the natural eloquence in the way he spoke, to the way he was conducting business related meetings, his demeanor was flawless, proving himself more than worth to bear his ancestor's powerful name.

And to top it all, the man proved battling skills, talent and strategic quick inventive thinking, that made CIA grown up agents crawl in fear. Some would even venture as to declare him more gifted than his own brother, Itachi, who was already a prodigy of his generation.

His skills were on par with his loud best friend's Naruto. Their little sparring sessions were something to look for. But when CIA came with the offer for him to take the preliminary admission tests, Sasuke simply told them he wasn't in the least interested and they were all boring fools that did not manage to captivate him or pique his interest, so he simply turned his back on them and left.

Naruto and Itachi have always wondered if there wasn't much more to the story than a simple family commitment Sasuke proved, when agreed to be the next Mangekyou CEO, successfully taking Itachi`s rightful place. It was undeniably a shame and a great loss for a man that would probably have been a rare gemstone for the CIA, to turn down the one lifetime offer.

"Who knows Neji? After all, not everyone is suited to become an agent, no matter how skilled might that person be."

"True. But I just can't get rid of this feeling, no matter how much I try to ignore it." The chestnut eyed woman followed her fiancé's lead towards their black SUV, taking a seat beside him, climbing on the passenger seat, eying him suspiciously.

"What feeling?"

"That there is something we have all overlooked."

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Yucatán Mexic, 20 km far from Chichén Itzá

The feared Leader threw the small phone he has just used to talk to his equally full of ambition and animosity partner on the cold surface of the marble floor, turning around to face the audience, with a blazing stare that made the tiny hair on their forearms erect in dread.

He was an unforgiving attitude that made the blood freeze into his interlocutor's blood and stop their heartbeats from pumping their lives down their chests, when he addressed them in a robotic voice darker than the stillness of a night, in a cold December day.

"My fellow Master Masons, the time for us the one that have been liberated from sin to bring peace into this corrupted decadent world and ignite the flame of hope our ancestors have passed to us down the vengeful hearts that struggle into oblivion."

He spoke cryptically, in a hard tone, with a solemn touch into his meaningful words. He might have been considered a ruthless man, whose perfect vision of universal acceptance and mutual understanding could have only be achieved after the people would stop hating on each other and unite under the unforgiving eye of the Creator, bonding through their suffering and loneliness.

"My Lord…" One of the members of the secret gathering, tentatively began, lifting his chin to reveal a pair of brown hopeful round eyes, partly concealed by the black cloak he was wearing, as their etiquette required. "…we, your humble brothers, would like to know more details about the upcoming task we have been assigned with and assure the success of our mission. We don't want our effort to drag our beloved fellows from the Order down."

"If you would find the patience to enlighten us with the personal data about our targets that keep on opposing the change and the illumination we are going to unleash into the world, we, the one that seek salvation and purification from your undying light would be more than ready to depart as soon as you would allow."

The other younger Mason followed the same obedient manner to convey his thoughts, getting an approving nod from his Leader.

"No worries my beloved brothers, I am going to personally deliver all the information and precise location of your next target, as well as the complete detailed plan of the buildings. Everything is covered for you to help our fraternity spread judgment upon the atheists that deny this world of achieving though purification. You are to leave immediately, using one of hour helicopters."

"Thank you, my Lord. Your generosity is an inspiration for us, your followers. If you would be so kind to provide us a bulletproof van to make our ride there easier, we would forever be indebt to you."

He faltered for a moment while his hand halt midway, fingers tightly enveloping the Karlsbad crystal glass filled with white expensive champagne, considering the request carefully, planning everything ahead, like his reputation was.

"A means of transport…you are going to have it the moment you arrive to Tokyo. You are bound to meet your other acquaintances there as well. They are going to help."

The two men didn't question his sharp judgment, silently taking note of any other detail they could have possibly overlook, while their mentor was flashing the familiar pure golden ring, encrusted with precious rubies in the color of crimson and the familiar pair of compasses as their crest, adorning his finger, all reeling in admiration.

"What about the younger offspring of the retiring Mangekyou CEO?" One boldly asked. "The young Uchiha`s taste for luxury and human pleasures will be his downfall. We, the ones whose eyes have already bathed into the light, are going to exploit the unforgivable sins, by sending a bait to lure him in the very capable hands of our brothers".

His words were oozing enmity upon disclosing the most debauched traits one living could have had, in his opinion. In his opinion, people should constantly seek salvation and pry for their souls to receive forgiveness and transcend their mortal condition, by turning into stars dust and find their place into God's realm, not succumbing to the mortal carnal attractions and corrupted intoxicating materialistic desires.

"Ellohim", an elder that was seated on the opposite side of the long mahogany table, wisely slipped a valuable detail into the conversation, attracting all the heads towards him. "I have been informed that the defying Central Intelligence Agency has grown aware of our actions."

"I have almost been abducted by one of their agents on my last mission, and I barely escaped them. They are very proficient with traditional weapons, having similar fighting skills that are on par with our best members." Another pursued the train of confessions, making the audience earnestly confirm the matter.

It has been the unrestrained cooperation between the Sound and the Akatsuki the thing that managed to oppose their obvious attempt to take away another life of an influential hotel chains holder, landing a good blow, delaying their plans.

"What are we to do if we are to encounter them in the future? Should we make use of firearms as well?" The innocent question came as a proclamation of war towards their philosophy, because Lorane refrained from the usage of any weapon that was the token of a world aiming to destroy the basic principles of harsh training and human value, meaning the fire guns.

"B-but…this is against the rules!"

"Outrageous! We cannot allow our hands to get dirty, like the others do!" Someone protested from the mass of people, folding their hands over their covered in their tunic chests, nodding energetically towards one another.

Their leader had his own fair share of burning blood and clenching in blazing fury innards at the idea of getting associated with such people, but he had no choice. He knew exactly that their rivals were not entirely traditional methods oriented and he couldn't let that particular impediment to stop his ideology.

"Enough!" A choir of strained gulps came from the then going silent assembled people echoed through the wet rocky walls, at the meaningful command coming from the resting on his large regal throne indomitable leader. "You will not be forced to make use of such weapons, because your tasks are going to be split up among you and the others."

"Should we handle the young Uchiha as well, along with the other?" The first assassin that has been appointed with the bloody mission, eagerly asked.

"No." The merciless passive man answered darkly, but smoothly. He has been warned to wait for further instructions and, even though it went against his principles to take such rush orders, he had no choice but to obey. "Uchiha Sasuke is not to be carelessly approached. He is going to suffer the consequences of being the promoter of this self-indulged world soon."

The same elder that warned his brothers about the CIA getting involved in the mission, chose to once again voice out his finding, though his own espionage acts."I am able to confirm the fact that the boy with the eyes like a raven's is going to be kept under strict surveillance by one of their best agents."

It stirred an uproar among the other masons, but their illuminated higher up has previously been informed about the fact.

"So I have been told." Confusion was visible into the members of Lorane`s mutterings. "

Who is this agent?"

"Is he skilled?"

"You know the name all too well." Indeed, it had a mythical resonance that sent cold shivers down everybody's present spines, not expecting such a move from their enemies. "Athena."

The closest to him men silently spoke, as too preserve the thick tension visible among them.

"What are your orders regarding this particular matter, my Lord?"

"How should we handle with the unexpected situation?" A loud piercing 'crack' of the inestimable glass made a thin line of pouring red salty liquid on his trembling in rage hand. The answer came in a form of dripping venom, so dark, that it was almost suffocating to the audience, but the message was clear as a cold rapid mountain stream.

"Kill her."

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10 p.m Italy, Federico Fellini International Airport

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An impatient young agent was darting her eyes all around in, eagerly taking in the rushed families and friends, excited to see their beloved ones arrive or give their last embrace to those who were departing, thinking about her upcoming destination.

Emerald eyes shot down at the ticket she was gripping, scanning the content, making sure she got the plane and the gate correctly, feeling her heart thump soundly into her chest and mixed emotions flame down her insides, like mini supernovas ready to crush on the earth.

"Narita International Airport…" She muttered softly, reluctantly taking small steps towards the gate she was supposed to cross through, swiftly turning her head over her shoulder to take a look around at the familiar scenery for the last time, almost feeling bad for not allowing Karin or Orochimaru to come and send her off, but she knew they were both too busy to listen to her depressed state.

Having to give up her nymph like demeanor and elegant lifestyle, Sakura caught a peek at her regular, almost funny appearance in the glass door, not believing that her nervous eyes were not deceiving her, because she looked exactly how she used to, before the Sound became her salvation and it made her throw all the remains of self trust and mental strength she had.

"I am so not ready to do this, mission be damned!" The emerald eyed agent momentarily let go of the small bag she was allowed to take into the plane, pulling out the small iPod she never left home, shoving the stereos into her ears, putting the volume up, until she was able to block everything around her, letting music take over her tensed stressed nerves.

She lazily waited for the other passengers to cross through the check point, smirking at some rapper dude, who was killing the physical metal detector with all the flashy jewelry and accessories adorning his body.

The security guy was looking like he was in the verge of fainting, because the monitors were constantly beeping. Guy probably had more jewelry hanging around his neck, than Cleopatra on procession.

This was going to take time. She was able to see the plane approaching the airport, slowly descending from the sky. Unexpectedly, her ticking jumped into her throat, preventing her to inhale deeply for a moment, adrenaline surging down her spine, in a form of electric jolts of anticipation.

"I have the feeling that the next time I will return here…everything is going to be different."