Tsunade sat in the break room, drying her hair. There's nothing like a good shower after some vigorous exercise, she thought. She felt a familiar presence near the door and barely had enough time to register who it was before the door opened. "Reborn-kun?" she said, startled, "What are you doing here?"

Reborn closed the door and smiled. "Well I was going to do the Black Diamond Course," he said, "but after seeing your performance, I doubt I could do better."

Tsunade looked at him suspiciously, what is he trying to do here? she wondered, I can't quite figure out why he came to see me…unless he just wanted too. She pushed the thought out of her head. No, no, no that can't be it.

"What I don't understand though," said Reborn, "is why you left a drone alive when you could've easily destroyed it."

Ah. That's why he's here, thought Tsunade, I knew he wouldn't have come here unless he thought he could gain more information. Even so, she thought as she began formulating a response that would lead Reborn the wrong way, why do I feel disappointed?

"Well you see," began Tsunade, "my brother had been a huge believer in fate. He believed that everyone was destined to do something great. However, he also believed that in a group, not everyone wanted to share the same fate. Because of that, he tried to help people change their fate, to give him a second chance. That's why I left a drone alive as a tribute to my brother's belief that some people just needed a second chance."

Another puzzle piece falls into place, thought Reborn slyly.

Tsunade sighed and got up. "I have to go now if I'm going to make it back to my apartment soon."

Reborn frowned. "Wait, you're walking home?" he asked, "That seems pretty dangerous and time-consuming."

"Nah, my apartment's only 20 minutes away from here," said Tsunade, "I'm staying at the Highland Apartments at Tokyo University."

"What a coincidence," exclaimed Reborn, "I live there too! Are you, by chance, the new neighbor that moved in next door?"

Tsunade stared in shock. When Iemitsu-kun told me that my apartment location was very convenient for our mission, I wouldn't have ever imagined that this is what he meant. "Wow," she said, "I guess I am."

"Well then, since I'm heading the same way," said Reborn, "why don't I give you a ride home?"

I don't know what angle he's playing at, thought Tsunade, but I would like a ride home rather than walking. She smiled at Reborn and replied, "Sure! I would appreciate that. I'll meet you in the parking lot in 5 minutes."

What angle am I playing at, thought Reborn as he leaned against his motorcycle, waiting, why did I offer her a ride? It's true that I don't want to lose her as a source of information, but it seems like that she can take care of herself well enough. Do I want to protect her for different reason?

Before Reborn could deny that thought, Tsunade walked out of the range and over to where he was. "Hey," she said with a bright smile, "let's go."

Reborn set himself on the motorcycle and Tsunade situated herself behind him. It wasn't until she sat down that she realized she didn't know what to do with her hands. Dammit, she thought, I put myself in a real awkward position. Where do I place my hands?

Then, she heard Reborn chuckle. "Here," he said amused. He reached back and placed Tsunade's arms around his waist. She felt a surge of warmth. That's strange, Tsunade thought as they exited the parking lot, I suddenly felt warm when Reborn touched my arm. Is it because he was so close? Even so, why did I feel warm? She shook her head. I must be sick.

"Are you TRYING to get us killed?!" shouted Tsunade.

Reborn simply laughed as he continued to weave through the traffic at a speed that was barely legal.

What have I gotten myself into, she thought, this guy is going to end up killing the 'Black Hunter' without even knowing it! She looked up at Reborn, who had an almost maniacal grin on his face. Her eyes softened. He looks like he's having the time of his life though. He actually looks…kinda cute. She pushed the thoughts out of her head. Too bad I'm only using him for the information.

Reborn grinned widely as he made a steep turn. He heard Tsunade squeak with terror and he laughed. She's willing to go into a field where her life is constantly at risk, yet she's absolutely terrified to go fast on a motorcycle. What a joke. Reborn looked back at Tsunade, who was shutting her eyes tightly. He chuckled and let his guard down for just a second. She looks so adorable right now. I just want to… He shook his head. Snap out of it Reborn, he chided himself, you're only using her for information.

They finally pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. Tsunade stumbled off the motorcycle and took a deep breath. "We're still in one piece?" she said in disbelief, "Impossible." Reborn smirked and they both began walking to their apartments upstairs.

Once they arrived in front of Tsunade's apartment, Reborn took out his cellphone and said, "We should exchange phone numbers. That way, you won't have to walk home from the range every day."

Tsunade chuckled. "I'm not sure if I'm at greater risk walking home at night or riding on a motorcycle with you." Despite what she said, they traded numbers anyway. Tsunade opened the door to her apartment. "Good night, Reborn-kun."

Reborn smiled and waved, "Good night, Tsunade-chan."

Tsunade closed the door and called Iemitsu. "Tsunade-chan?" said Iemitsu anxiously, "Where were you? I tried calling you several times but you wouldn't pick up."

"Calm down nii—I mean—Iemitsu-kun," said Tsunade, amused, "I was just out on the gun range and came home a little late."

"Oh. Ok then," said Iemitsu, "Well I need to tell you that our sources say that there's going to be another trade-off tomorrow night at 10 pm."

Tsunade froze. "Already?" she said incredulously, "I thought they planned to pause all operations for the week."

"It seems that Reborn's getting cocky," said Iemitsu, "Reports show that he himself will be at the tradeoff too."

"The boss at a mere operation? He must really want to catch the 'Black Hunter' by himself," said Tsunade.

"Do you still want to go?" said Iemitsu, worried, "It'll be a huge problem if you got captured."

"Don't worry!" said Tsunade confidently, "Reborn thinks he knows my ways so well from the information I've been giving him. But I still have some tricks up my sleeve. Send me the information regarding the trade-off."

"O-k then," said Iemitsu reluctantly, "Good night Tsunade-chan."

"Good night!" Tsunade hung up and walked into the room where her keyboard was.

She sighed and sat down at the keyboard. There's so much going on, she thought, maybe I'll just play one song to clear my mind. Tsunade laid her hands on the keyboard and began to play.

Tsunade played the final chord and placed her hands in her lap. Music really is medicine for the soul, she thought contently. Her phone vibrated. Ah. That must be the information that I asked nii-sama to send over. She flipped her phone open and saw that she had actually had two messages. One was from Iemitsu; the other was from—Reborn-kun? She stared at the message for a few seconds before opening it.

Beethoven's ninth symphony? Nice! I never knew you played, but you play well!

Tsunade smiled and moved to delete it because she had to keep her phone for business only, but as her thumb hovered over the button, she realized she couldn't bring herself to delete it.

Why can't I delete a simple message? She thought as she slowly slumped against the wall, is it because it's from an important target? But even so, it doesn't give me any information. So…why? Why do I feel this way?

Tsunade had played a song to calm her thoughts, but it only threw her into a whirlwind of confusion.