Author's note: So yea.. hehe. This chapter may be a teensy winsy bloody. Anyway, just enjooooooooyyy! I'm so excited for Monday! Amazing race, here I come! (in our school. Not in the TV though XD)

Somehow, I managed to end up in Pein's office. How, you say? Well, I certainly don't have an idea myself. As far as I know, I'm sitting calmly on my bed earlier, and the next thing I knew? I'm dragged inside Pein's office by Konan.

I looked around the room, not having the ability to look at Pein in the eye and focused on his desk instead . No, I am not a coward as not to look at him. It's just because his stare is so intense and unnerving that it's so... unnerving. Minutes have passed and none of us had uttered a single word. I mean, that's fine, yes. But, the tension is so thick you can cut a kunai right through it!

I cleared my throat. "Uh.. Leader-sama. I heard from Konan-san that I am wanted inside your office?"

Pein nodded. "Yes. That is true. I want you to take a mission."

My brows shot up and my body tingled in anticipation. "A mission? What kind of mission?"

Pein said nothing and handed me a piece of paper. "That's your briefing for the mission. I want you to infiltrate a new organization, Kuro Karasu (black crow). It's located somewhere in Oto. It's a small organization that is also after the tailed beasts. I want you take them down. I don't like competitions."

I plucked the paper from Pein's hand and shoved it into my pocket. "Of course Pein-sama. I assume that I will burn this piece of information after I read it, yes?"

Pein gave me a curt nod. "Of course Midori-san. We cannot afford people knowing our movements."

I nodded again. "Of course Leader-sama, but who shall I partner with on this mission?"

Pein laced his hands together and rested his chin on it. "Ah. You will be going on this mission alone Midori-san. I suppose that's alright with you."

I sweat dropped mentally. It's not like your giving me a choice anyway. "Of course Leader-sama. I'm very capable."

"Good. You will leave at sundown. Get your stuff ready. You are dismissed."

I stood up and bowed politely. "Of course, Leader-sama."

I walked out of his office calmly. While I'm calm and collected on the outside, I'm mentally dancing on the inside while shouting. 'A mission! A mission!' Fine, call me crazy if you want, but if you're a ninja and you're not receiving any mission for a year, you'll happily accept any kind of mission. Even a D-rank.

I looked at the time as I passed by the clock inside my room.
3:15. Well, it's still a bit early. "Ah. But no time shall be wasted on such a wonderful mission!" I said happily as I entered the shower and threw off my clothes, the cold water making me think clearer.

When I'm finished, I put on fresh clothes and strapped the katanas on my back. I pulled on my gloves and ninja shoes. I tied my hitai-ate on my forehead and put on all the stuff and necessities I need. Like my holsters and pouch, for example.

When I'm finally done getting dressed, I started packing the things I would need. A couple of extra clothes, a few food and chakra pills, and a few scrolls and smoke bombs. I checked the time again, 4:30.

I shoved the things I gathered inside a small pack and walked out the door while brushing my hair. I'm making my way towards the kitchen to grab a bite before I leave when I stumbled across Itachi.

"Sheesh Itachi, can you please at least look where you're going?" I complained while glaring at him halfheartedly.

"Hn." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. My, how classic. I turned slightly and Itachi's eyes flickered to the pack strapped on my back.

"A mission?" Itachi said, eyes still glued on my pack.

I rolled my eyes. Sorry, I just can't resist! "Yes. And could you please stop staring at my pack like that? It's getting on my nerves. And what could possibly be-"

Then it clicked. Oh dear kami. How can I be so stupid?! This pack is the pack Itachi gave me on my 12th birthday! Why I still have it? I have absolutely no idea.

My gaze fell on the ground and my hands absently touched the pack behind me. "Oh. That."

Itachi didn't show any emotion but his eyes sparkled with amusement. Well, years of friendship did give you advantages. "You kept it?"

I smiled lightly. Again, I have no idea why. I just did. "Obviously."

Itachi's lips formed a small smile. But when I blinked, it was gone. Gone so fast that I could've just imagined it.

"What's your mission about?"

I grinned widely. "Infiltration. Why?"

Itachi shook his head slightly. "Nothing. Just.. Be safe." Then he's gone. He probably went around me or something earlier but I can't remember. Please, how can I remember when I didn't even notice it? Stupid.

I made my way to the kitchen and sat on the dining table, all appetite gone. I opened the mission briefing and started to read it. When I'm done, I crumpled it and burnt it to ashes with a simple jutsu.

Be safe. What does he mean by that? No, more importantly, why does he even care about my welfare?

I'm so wrapped around my thoughts that the next thing I know, it's already sundown.

The next day...

I darted in and out of trees as I entered the borders of Otogakure. The only reason I reached Otogakure so early is because I hitched a ride on Tsuki yesterday. But when we started nearing the borders, that's where she decided to ditch me. The nerve.

I bit my thumb and did the necessary hand signs. "Kuchiyose no jutsu: Shiro!" A white wolf appeared and bowed slightly.

"What can I do to serve you, Hime-sama?"

I looked around the forest. "Track the hideout of a group called Kuro Karasu. Search for any strange chakra signatures around the forest."

Shiro nodded. "Hai. I will do my best Hime-sama."

I smiled. "Get searching then."

Shiro nodded and took off with incredible speed.

My eyes twitched. "Stupid fast summons." Pumping chakra to my feet, I leapt from tree to tree and caught up with Shiro without breaking a sweat. "Oi Shiro! Stop leaving me behind will ya?!" I shouted at the white wolf below me.

"Ah. Gomen Hime-sama. But you said-" Suddenly, Shiro skidded into a halt. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him with a confused expression. "What's wrong Shiro? Did you find something?"

Shiro nodded. "Hai, Hime. Inside that cave," Shiro pointed at the cave with his paw. "there are 10 chakra signatures in there. I think that's what you're looking for."

I nodded. "Thank you Shiro. I can take it from here." Shiro nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke. I took out a kunai and ran towards the cave while masking my chakra signature.

When I reached the cave, I saw that its entrance is blocked by a boulder. "Just like ours." I mumbled under my breath as I closed my eyes and checked the chakra signatures inside. There are 10, just like what Shiro said.

I touched the huge boulder as I looked for a weak spot in the rock. When I finally found one, I built up chakra on my fist and punched the boulder with all my might. When my fist came contact with the cold rock, it collapsed into a hundred pieces and crumbled down to the ground.

I took out a kunai and flattened my back on the wall as I peeked out inside. When I saw that there's no one in the room, I ran inside and tried to detect where the members are. I stopped for a while and concentrated on finding their chakra.

Okay. Let's do this Midori... I sense something. I sensed big blobs of chakra huddled together. They're all together in a big room. Somewhere not far from here. Wait.. Someone's-

I snapped my eyes open as I heard the footsteps behind me. I quickly threw a kunai on that direction and it came contact with the person's leg. I heard him groan in pain as I turned around slowly and approached him.

I grabbed his collar threateningly and I positioned the kunai at his throat. "Where are the others?!"

He gulped and pointed at the hallway ahead of us. "Straight a-ahead. A-and then take a l-left turn. Then inside the f-fourth door. That's where they're all at."

I smiled sweetly. "Thank you." Then I slashed his neck, watching as blood poured from the wound. "But, I can't let you live." I ran towards the direction he told me and I heard his body fall down, dead.

I took the left turn as he instructed and approached the fourth door carefully, searching for traps. When I sensed nothing, I took several steps back and did the appropriate hand seals. "Fuuton: Kaze Suraisur!" (wind slicer) *Sorry, I don't know the Japanese of slicer XD*

The door burst open and I leapt inside, kunai and several shurikens in hand. When the smoke finally cleared, it revealed 8 people, but not criminal organization members; instead, inside are 8 highly trained Konoha ANBUs.

My eyes widened in realization. "...This is a trap, isn't it?"

The Anbu with the wolf mask replied. "Of course. We knew all this time that the Akatsuki will come after us."

I raised my eyebrows and twirled the kunai around my finger. "Is that so? Care to enlighten me?"

The Anbu in the Fox mask stepped up. "To capture a member of course." Then he dashed towards me. "And that will be you! Katon: Kaen no jutsu!" (Flamethrower technique *I think so..?*)

I did the proper hand seals. "Oh yea? Well, I don't think so! Suiton: Mizu kenju!" (Water pistol)

The fireball collided with the wave of water I sent and dissipated in a swirl of black smoke. The other ANBUs decided to move already and tried to attack me. I performed quick hand signs and created 5 kage bunshins to occupy the other ANBUs.

The ANBU with the bear mask attacked me on the front with his katana while the other two tried to stalk behind me. The one with the bear mask decided to pounce on me and slash me with his katana. I quickly unsheathed my own and parried his strike, the clash of metal echoing inside the small room.

I kicked him on his knee and swiped my leg, causing him to fall down and his weapon clattered beside him. I kicked the weapon away from his reach and removed his kunai holster from his thigh, salvaging the weapons.

At that moment, the other ANBUs decided to act useful already. Two of them started to attack me from behind and one threw a kunai at me which I easily deflected.

I disappeared and reappeared behind him and slashed his throat with a kunai, his partner who is still in shock, backed away a little and I used this slight opening to my advantage.

"Doton: Douro ana! (mud hole)" The ground beneath the ANBU started to bubble and thicken. He tried to jump out of the way but it was too late already, it has reached his ankles. Not too long after, he's already drowning in a pit full of mud and sinking deeper into the earth.

One of the ANBUs dashed towards me, hands slapping together forming hand seals.

"Katon: Onidouro! (mud demon)" Demon shaped fire started to appear from beneath his feet and made it's way towards me.

I allowed a soft chuckle to escape my lips. "Seriously? That's it? Doton: Chikyu kabe! (Earth wall)" A huge wall of earth barricaded his attack from reaching me. When the earth slowly subsided, a sadistic smile stretched on my lips.

"You sure are hot today. Well, let me cool you down with a bit of... fresh air." I performed the hand seals quickly while my clones kept the other ANBUs busy.

"Fuuton: Futago kaze ha! (Twin wind blades)" Two blades made of wind appeared out of nowhere and made it's way towards the poor ANBU, slicing him into three pieces.

His head was cut off and was sent flying to the far end of the room. His waist up was severely wounded and a few of the organs are spilling out of the body, while his legs are sprawled in the corner and the both of them are bent in unnatural angles, bones jutting out from the injuries.

Two more ANBUs decided to attack me, the other one is the one with the bear mask, while the other one; a girl, is wearing a fox mask. Fox mask attacked me with ice projectiles while bear mask is throwing senbons at me. I dodged all of them effortlessly and focused on fox mask again.

"You sure are interesting, Kitsune-chan. (Fox)" I disappeared and reappeared right in front her, Katanas drawn. I raised my katana preparing to strike while she covered her fist in ice. But unfortunately, the annoying bear-bear decided to interfere and tried to attack me from behind.

I turned around and did a single hand sign, then I slapped my hand in bear mask's chest. He's too stunned to react and I used this as my momentum to kill the poor guy. Well, I don't want to, but I need to!

"Suiton: Mizubakuhatsu! (Water explosion)" His eyes widened and blood started pouring out of his mouth, his body shook in an unnatural way, as if he's a soda bottle with carbonated bubbles waiting to burst free from the bottle. I tightened my grasp on his shirt and did a single hand sign.

"Goodbye."

His body exploded and sprayed water and blood everywhere. He exploded in a way like a water balloon will, body tattered to pieces and blood bursting like a bomb. I looked at the fox masked woman who is frozen in her place while staring at the bear masked guy's organs that littered the barren floor.

She looked at me shakily and I walked towards her with confidence. Once, a kunai was sent flying my way but my clone threw her body in the blade's direction and she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

I sneered at the fox masked woman. "Are you... scared?"

She gripped the hilt of her katana tightly, her knuckles turning white. She gulped and answered, voice cracking slightly. "Never."

She slashed at me with her katana, but her movements are sloppy from what she have just seen so I quickly dodged it and grabbed her arm. I kicked her hand causing her to drop her weapon and yelp in pain. I twisted her arm in a full 360° and she screamed in agony when one of her bones jutted out.

I grinned evilly. "You should've died much more painlessly if your.. friend have not interrupted me."

She choked back a sob and my eyes sparkled with malice. "That's right. Blame him!"

Obviously, she still felt well enough because she answered. "That's not... t-true... He .. He tried...to save...m-me. I.. d-don't blame..him.. I blame.. you." she said while gasping in pain as I gripped her severed hand tighter.

"Is that so? Then I guess you deserved to rest peacefully now, right? You should rest..." I grabbed her face with my free hand and released her hand. "Forever." I did a single handsign and hundreds of poisoned weapons shot out of my sleeve cracking her mask open and severing her face, I even saw a kunai impaling her left eye. She dropped to the ground with a thud, blood pouring out of her wounds.

The two remaining ANBUs growled at me viciously. It seems that they have already finished the other clones and are still alive. I sighed heavily. I want to go back home already. Sheesh.

"Can you... just please die?" I asked the two with a tired expression.

The one with the wolf mask snarled at me. "No. You will pay for this. You will come back with us to Konoha."

I rolled my eyes. "And what if I don't want to?"

The one with the cat mask unsheathed her sword. "Then we will force you."

I grinned. "My, how confident. But, I don't think so."

I stepped backwards and did the appropriate hand seals. "Doton: Chikyuryu tsume! (Earth dragon's claws)"

Before the one with the wolf mask could react. Sharp stalactite like pieces of earth jutted out of the ground, impaling his body as the one with the cat mask screamed helplessly.

"Reiko!"

But it's useless. Blood is already gushing from his corpse. A sharp piece of earth jutting out of his mouth. I took a step forward and grinned maliciously. "Looks like you're the only one left huh?"

She tried to stand up straight but failed when she saw all her comrade's corpses littered on the floor. "You... You're wrong."

I grinned. "Maybe. Who knows? Go ask the monsters in the pit of hell."

"You're the monster." She breathed shakily and glared at me weakly.

I laughed bitterly as she sunk to herself more. "Well, go blame the Sandaime! It's his fault! I'm accused wrongly!" I shrieked as I threw a kunai at one of the nearby corpses.

Then I leaned in and whispered at her ear. "Though I hate to admit, even though I really hate my old village, I'm doing this to make sure that the Akatsuki don't destroy Konoha. I have to protect my sister. And.. and Naruto."

"N-naruto?"

I nodded happily. "Yep. Let's just say... I owe Minato-sensei and I promised to protect his son."

She took a step backwards. "W-why are you telling me this? This... stuff.. And if you want to protect Konoha... then.. then come back! "

I sighed and shook my hand dismissively. "Bah. It doesn't matter now any more. You'll die now anyway." And before another word can be spoken. I took a large step forward and slashed her throat with a katana. Blood gushed out of her neck as her body crumpled to the ground.

When I heard her body fall to the ground, guilt started to well up inside me. Why.. why do I have to kill them?! They could be one of my old comrades!

Then a part of me reminded myself. Get a grip Midori! If they are, then they're traitors! Besides, you're a criminal now! This is your mission!

After that, I started to calm down, I turned around and walked towards the open doorway. But when I reached it, I'm surprised that I couldn't get through.

"What the hell?!" I pounded at the invisible barrier. "Where the hell did this come-" Then suddenly, out of nowhere a memory flashed through my mind and I completely froze on the spot.

No. It just couldn't be.

I heard footsteps behind me and I quickly turned around, preparing for the worst. But when I turned around, I saw..

"Hello, Midori-chan."

"I-Itachi?" I looked at the owl masked ANBU. Is he really...? Then I mentally slapped myself. Where the hell did that thought come from?! I know he's not Itachi, but how come I thought that-

Then before I knew it, he hit one of my major chakra networks while I'm distracted . He put my hands behind my back and pushed me forward, avoiding the littered bodies in the process. He led me towards a small door in the corner of the room.

I cursed under my breath. It's my fault I hadn't notice that one. He pushed me inside and I fell on my knees. I hung my head while I quickly took out a kunai and gripped it tightly.

"Oh my. How nice of you to join us. What a surprise, of all the members, it's you they sent." A familiar female voice behind me said.

No. It can't be her. It just can't be her.

I turned around with wide eyes and saw Mirai's glaring form, decked in full ANBU captain uniform, her mask hanging loosely on her waist.

"Is this fate? I don't think so. Long time no see. Midori-sensei."

"Mirai." I breathed, not being able to hold the kunai properly anymore.

Her eyes softened for a while before hardening into a glare again. "Gomenasai, sensei. But that's captain Tenshi for you." She did a single hand sign and I realized that the kunai I'm holding is beginning to melt, curling to my wrists and becoming hand cuffs.

Mirai smirked at me. "I finally mastered my Kouton, see? (steel release). Aren't you proud? This have always been my goal since I'm a little kid. Right, ex-sensei?"

I flinched slightly, then my mouth curled into a small smile. "That's great Mirai. I-I may have only taught you for two years, since you were 7 but... I'm proud of you."

Her eyes widened in surprise for a couple of seconds, then her mouth clammed shut. "Owl. Drain her chakra network. But not too much, make sure she can't use it for a while. After that, knock her out."

"Yes, captain." Owl answered while slapping a seal on my forehead. I couldn't fight back since Mirai already made steel curl around my legs too.

She turned away, wearing her mask in the process. "I'll prepare our journey back to Konoha."

"Yes, captain."

"Wait!" I cried out one last time, and Mirai turned at me impatiently.

"What is it?!" She hissed through gritted teeth.

I choked on my own words, wondering if this is really a good idea. "W-why did you.. left your comrades to.. fight me alone?"

She turned her back from me, but I can see her shoulders hunch. "This is their idea you know. Now, if I were you, I'd rest myself up for the interrogation and torture later."

I smiled cruelly. "I... I will never tell you anything."

Mirai just looked at me slightly and 'hmed'. "We'll see about that." She mumbled while pacing back and forth the room.

My vision started to turn hazy because of the lack of chakra. Be safe. That's what Itachi told me before I left. My lips formed a strained smile. Well, sorry Itachi. But I don't think so.

Black spots danced in my vision, and the last thing I heard is Mirai summoning a giant bird to ride on on the way back. Looks like I'll be returning to Konoha sooner than I expected.

I chuckled weakly at the thought, then black engulfed my vision and I lost consciousness.