Uhm… I'm trying to think of something snappy and cool to put down, but… I can't. xD

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! MASASHI KISHIMOTO DOES! I also do not own any of the OCs introduced in this fan fiction, except the following:

Tsukuyomi Clan

Nero

A/N: … Ruriko's POV! XD

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Chapter Twenty: Old Faces Reappear, A Lot Taller Too! Jinx!

It was just the way I remembered it… On the outside. Tall walls around it with huge gates, some Chuunin and Jounin lounging around them. Akira sighed, stretching.

"Ahh, I missed this place. The smell, the people… The temperature…" His voice drifted as he led the way in. Over the years, Akira had visited Konohagakure a lot more than most Suna shinobi, so it probably seemed the same to him.

"Hey," I said, making Akira glance over his shoulder curiously, "I'm gonna take a look around… I'll catch up with you in a bit…" My awed tone made Akira smirk and nod before he shot off toward the Hokage's building. My eyes were wide as I walked around, staring at the place. Definitely more crowded, if that were possible.

However, it wasn't long before I smacked into someone. I yelped a little, wincing before the blondie whipped around like he was going to yell at me. What a weird looking kid too with three little lines on his face, wild blonde hair and big blue eyes. His black and orange outfit was hard to miss for someone who'd be paying attention.

"Hey- Oh, hi there." The boy beamed, giving a little wave. I sweat dropped.

"That's not how you say sorry." I snapped. He blinked, then puffed out his cheeks.

"Well, excuse me!"

"That's better."

"No, I meant- Never mind! Hey, you're from Sunagakure?" He asked, poking the headband around my waist, making me yelp and smack his hand away with a glare.

"Don't touch! And yes, I am. Who the hell is asking?" I demanded. The boy rolled his eyes, then put his hands on his hips and jammed his thumb into his chest.

"The name's Uzumaki Naruto! Konohagakure's future Hokage!" He yelled in my face. I pushed his face back, rolling my eyes.

"Of course you are." I muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean? You don't believe me?"

"No, no, it's not that. It's just your smelly breath is distracting me." I replied, smiling sweetly. Naruto's eyes became round, comical circles as he gritted his teeth.

"Hey! My breath does not stink!"

"Does to. I know that pissy smell anywhere. Ramen. Ichiraku ramen to be precise." I replied flatly.

"They're ramen is not pissy!"

"I know that, dumbass! But that's how I remember the smell!" I retorted. Naruto twitched, then pointed a finger in my face.

"You're a weirdo." He accused. I glared and bit down on his finger, making him yelp in shock, jerking his finger away and caressing it.

"You bit me!"

"No way!" I cried, oozing sarcasm. Naruto glared, jumping back and thrusting his finger at me again.

"You're a sarcastic asshole, just like Sasuke!"

"Don't compare me to that criminal!" I barked, smacking his hand. Naruto dropped his hand to stare at me, then gritted his teeth.

"Sasuke's not a criminal!" He protested. I frowned, folding my arms over my chest, studying his face. He was obviously upset by the factual accusation, but it was true. Uchiha Sasuke was listed in the top ten most dangerous shinobi, but he had worked his way up there with the help of number one criminal, Orochimaru.

"You obviously haven't seen The List." I muttered. Naruto grimaced and clenched his fists.

"Sasuke's not bad… You don't know him at all."

"How do you know?"

"Because you never would have made that accusation!" Naruto snapped. I smiled a little, tilting my head.

"Ne, Naruto… Are you and him friends?" I asked. Naruto smiled nostalgically, sadly, looking at the ground.

"Yea… Best friends, and rivals…" He replied quietly. I blinked. The same relationship I had with Saki Osamu, I guess. We argued non-stop and we'd never admit to being friends and that's when it hit me.

Osamu.

The jerkbutt who beat me in the Chuunin Exams and became a Chuunin before me… If he was still a Chuunin, I'll have beat him!

"Have you seen Saki Osamu?" I asked. Naruto perked up, snapping his fingers.

"That guy? Last I knew, he was training for some test. I didn't know you knew him." He mused.

"We met during the Chuunin Exams a while back… How come I've just heard of you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Naruto snorted.

"I was training with the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya the Toad Sage! Heh, more like pervy sage…" He snickered under his breath. I puckered my lips at the nickname, narrowing my eyes.

"Pervy?" I asked. Naruto laughed out loud.

"He's the author of this totally pervy book. Actually, now that I get a good look at you," He scanned me up and down, his eyes landed right on my chest, "You might impress him."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" I yelled at him. Naruto grinned.

"It's a compliment! You have nice boobs!" I smacked him hard over the head, knocking him off his feet and face planting into the dirt. I slammed my foot down on his back.

"You little pervert! I outta rip your tongue out and strangle you with it! Say that again, I dare you!" I shouted down at him, grinding my foot into his back. Naruto wailed and flailed, squirming away from me.

"Oh gods! You're as strong as Sakura!" He cried, waving a finger at me. I scowled.

"Just take me to Osamu or I'll smash your skull."

"All right already! Yeesh… Girls these days." Naruto muttered, turning and heading down the street with me at his heels. I rolled my eyes, but my anger soon subsided as my eyes drifted along the shops. Some I recognized from three years ago, others were totally new to me. After a while, we came to the familiar training field with bright green grass and tons of trees to hide in. As well as a dark stone that sat against a post on a platform.

The nostalgic and beautiful scene was cut off when a familiar figure shot from the trees, skidding through the grass just as another one came from the other side of the clearing with a kunai in hand.

The first figure was none other than Saki Kishi. Her brown hair had grown into a bob along her jaw line, her dark brown eyes glowing. She wore an interesting reddish/pink kimono that touched her knees with detailed blossoms and tree branches, black shorts covering her thighs, showing off her legs to black sandals, her headband on her forehead.

The other figure was Saki Osamu in the flesh. His brown hair was now cut short and spiky, his eyes having grown to a lighter brown. He wore a green flak jacket with a neck guard, which was open to reveal a navy jumper, the left sleeve missing and showing bandages that ran to his fingers, the right sleeve flaring around his knuckles. His matching pants ended to his calves, bandages leading to navy sandals.

And he was tall. Really. Then again, this is coming from someone who had only grown a half inch in the past three years!

"Osamu," Naruto yelled at the top of his lungs, making me plug my ears, "This girl here wants to talk to you! OSAMU! OSAMU!"

"Shut up already!" I yelled at him, then huffed, folding my arms over my chest, but dropping them when Osamu rolled his eyes and walked up to us, telling Kishi to wait. He walked up to me, then stopped to stare in shock, his eyes wide. I twitched.

"What? Don't tell me you forgot me already, jackass." I muttered, putting my hands on my hips. Osamu blinked rapidly.

"Holy- Ruriko? Is that really you?" He exclaimed, looking me up and down. I huffed.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean? I thought I looked the same!" I exclaimed.

"No way! Your hair's all the way to your ass now, just wow…" He was still looking surprised. I sighed, shaking my head, then reached up and clicked his jaw shut.

"As for you, you've changed a lot too… You're taller." I muttered. Osamu blinked and his eyes sparked before he laughed, dropping a hand on my head.

"Look at you! I guess that's one thing that hasn't changed! You're still short!" He mocked. I twitched.

"You…!"

"I feel tall then!" Naruto proclaimed, thumping his chest. I glared at him before Osamu smirked a little, turning half way away to take his chin between his thumb and index finger.

"If there's one thing that really grew, it's your boobs." He pointed out, flicking his finger at me with a wicked grin. I felt my face grow hot as I clasped my hands over my chest.

"You-You pervert! I can't believe you! What the hell? I'm going to kick your ass!" I yelled and went to strangle him, but he ducked to the side and I whipped around, elbowing him in the gut. He yelped a little, doubling over. I smirked, putting my hands on my hips.

"Jackass." I stated, folding my arms over my chest with a laugh. Naruto twitched.

"Brutal." He stated.

"You're temperamental as always," Osamu muttered, then smirked, "But just as clueless, like Kazuya." He reached out and caught me by the ankle, jerking me onto my back. I flailed a little and yelped when I hit the ground on my back, Osamu on top of me now, smirking down at me cockily.

"If this is as far as you got in three years, I'm shocked."

"Jackass!"

"Brat!"

After that little reunion, Osamu let me up and we went for a walk through town, leaving Naruto to demand where Lady Tsunade was from Kishi. I'm surprised she didn't beat his brains out, that obnoxious blondie.

"So, how have you been?" Osamu asked casually, putting his hands in his pocket as we walked. I shrugged.

"Same old, same old. I'm right where I wanted to be, working on Sunagakure's new Criminal Information Squad." I explained. Osamu blinked, then smirked.

"That's awesome… And your rank?" He pressed. I grinned at him.

"Special Jounin." I boosted. Osamu stopped to stare at me in disbelief.

"Special…? How did YOU get to Special Jounin!" He demanded. I huffed.

"I was expecting an 'awesome, nice job!' I guess you really didn't mature at all, you pervert." I accused, turning on my heel and heading to the Hokage's place myself. Osamu sighed and ran to catch up with me.

"Sorry, sorry. I just… Well, I thought you were banned from the exams."

"I am."

"Then you really did find an alternate way to become a Chuunin."

"Hell yea. I cheated." I laughed. Osamu raised an eyebrow.

"Cheat? How do you CHEAT?"

"None of your business, jackass." I replied sweetly, earning an eye twitch from him.

"You brat." He stated. I winked.

"Damn straight." I replied, letting him lead the way into the Hokage's building. The only sounds inside were our shoes smacking on the ground, echoing in the huge building. I had never really been inside it since I never made it to Chuunin…

In fact, I had skipped over it, but that was a story for a different time.

Osamu knocked on the office door before a woman's voice barked:

"ENTER!" I crinkled my nose. Ugh. I hated her. Osamu pushed the door open to reveal Lady Tsunade, looking as young as she did three years ago, but just because she was cheating by using a jutsu. The old hag. However, I put on my best business mask and walked up to the desk, where Tsunade lifted her eyes to study me suspiciously. I pulled a scroll out, handing it to her.

"It's information that I was sent to drop by before I went on a mission." I replied. Tsunade frowned, taking the scroll and handing it to Shizune with a nod.

"What sort of mission?" Tsunade pressed. I blinked. Why the hell should I tell her? Then again… Lord Kazekage never said it was top secret. I shrugged.

"An undercover kind of mission. I have to spy one members of Akatsuki." I replied. Tsunade's eyes flickered, amused.

"Is that so? And you're going by yourself, no back up?" She asked. I frowned.

"No offense, Lady Tsunade, but I don't need you hassling me about this mission. I got enough from a friend of mine. There's no way I'll fail this mission." I muttered.

"Even so," Tsunade sighed, leaning back, "Take Osamu here and Katsu Kin with you on the mission. Just as back up. You can use radios to communicate. Why Sunagakure would ever risk someone on this type of mission is beyond me."

"You're kidding me, right?" I demanded.

"Awesome! We get to see members of Akatsuki?" Osamu blurted. I glared at him, then looked at Tsunade.

"I don't need any help-"

"It's in case you are threatened. You should be used to people being cautious of you, and probably your brother as well. You and Hioshi hold enough information that may start a war. It's best you try and keep as low a profile as possible or you will be kidnapped. We can't have that happening." Tsunade informed sternly, then thrust her finger at the door.

And that was it. No more arguing. I left, Osamu beside me.

"This is stupid! I can take care of myself just fine!" I snorted. Osamu sighed, then smirked.

"But it's good you have back up! You can't risk getting kidnapped when you promised me a rematch battle."

"You're just saying that because you're happy to tag along, jackass." I retorted. Osamu shrugged.

"Worth a try." He replied. I rolled my eyes as we walked down the path, Osamu leading now since I had no idea where to find Kin. I hadn't seen him in forever. In fact, everyone I had met three years ago looked like they had changed a lot. It was kind of scary.

And not to mention everyone was freaking tall! Was I the only one that noticed this? I mean, yea, I'm glad to look more like a girl, but seriously! A little height might be nice!

Osamu led me to a familiar shop, where none other than Kin was seated, but looking like he had eaten too much having a sleepy look on his face. His green headband covered his forehead, matching the stripes and zippers on his black jacket that was pushed up to his elbows. His shoes and pants were black, the right leg with a green buckle hanging off. I noticed he had his senbon hanging out of his mouth and his earring. He stood up when he saw Osamu and I felt short, again.

"How come you all got taller?" Was my greeting. Kin cocked a brow.

"Nice to see you again too."

"Sorry," I sighed, "I'm just pretty annoyed that Lady Tsunade is sending you two on a mission with me."

"What kind of mission?" Kin asked. Osamu gave him the information on the mission while handing him a headset.

"Akatsuki? Sounds dangerous." Kin deadpanned.

"Sounds like fun." Osamu added.

"Sounds like you should be quiet." I told Osamu with a huff, making him roll his eyes and stick his tongue out. I scowled at him. With that, we were heading to the gates of the village to the outpost town just outside the limits of Konohagakure.

"So, Special Jounin, huh?" Kin asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Damn right." I responded huffily. Kin smirked.

"You're pretty cocky about it. Be careful. There's this thing called karma." He pointed out.

"Oh, please," I waved my hand at him, "This mission will go smoothly and I'll be back here in no time."

"I thought you said you were going back to Sunagakure after your mission." Osamu mused, tapping his chin. I twitched a little, then averted my eyes.

"I can stick around here for a little bit… I wanna see how everyone else is growing up."

"Literally." Kin stated, making Osamu laugh out loud.

"Shut up!" I cried, then folded my arms over my chest and snorted. My goodness, they were just the same as always. Boys…

Within moments, we were waking into Tanzaku town. It was more like a circus, though, than an actual town. People were running everywhere, stands were put up, advertising food and toys and games. I took my headset out and stuck into place as we walked.

"Hey wait a second," Osamu insisted, "Where are they supposed to be?"

"I dunno. Some dango shop in the center of town… Why?" I asked.

"You can't just spy on Akatsuki dressed like a ninja," Osamu huffed, "And not to mention we can see some of your headset. You need to find out what the workers there dress like and blend in. Take your hair down or something and hide the headset."

"Unless you wanna die." Kin pointed out. I twitched, wincing a little.

"You've been in this business for how long and you didn't know this?" Osamu questioned. I scowled, folding my arms over my chest.

"Oh, all right! But you two are coming with me." I added and dragged them along with me. I found the dango shop and I could barely make out two black cloaked figures sitting at a table. I suddenly wanted to get closer and see their faces, but Osamu jerked me back.

"Hold on there! I know you're excited, but don't just barge in there like a fan girl!" Osamu scolded. I smacked his hand away, rolled my eyes, then managed to track down a worker.

"I am not dressing like that." I deadpanned.

"Holy shit, that's hot." Was Osamu's comment, to which I smacked him for it. Kin sweat dropped, then shrugged.

"I guess you're going to have to retreat and tell the Kazekage that you failed to do your super important mission because you were too scared to dress like a girl." He sighed all in one breath. I glared, feeling my face grow a little hot before I jerked my head back to look at the worker.

"All right, fine. You two get into position. I can do this part myself." I stated.

"You sure? That outfit looks hard to put on-" I smacked my hand into Osamu's face and shoved him into Kin, who smirked and dragged Osamu off. What a perverted jackass that Saki boy is. I rolled my eyes.

Great. This was gonna suck.

I found myself, moments later, standing in a kitchen that reeked off bleach and old food. I hated myself now. And to make matters worse, they gave me the job as soon as I asked, which is so weird.

I was now dressed in a dark red kimono like dress that hung to my thighs with some kind of gold jewelry dangling from the bottom fringe. My hair was up with chopsticks, but I had two long bits hanging over my ears to hide the headset.

"All right. That was fast. Can you guys hear me?" I asked into the headset, shifting my eyes around the shop.

"Loud and clear." Kin replied through the headset.

"Holy shit, you can see your cleavage!" Osamu exclaimed.

"Asshole! I'll castrate you!" I barked.

"Ssh," Kin scolded, "You have to act like one of the workers, or at least try to. They might suspect you if you don't."

"Sorry." I mumbled, then took a tray and stepped out, peering around the corner. And then I saw them. My eyes widened. They were actually there! Members of Akatsuki!

The first one was Deidara, I recognized immediately. His hair was a dark blonde in a funky ponytail, some hair hanging over his left eye, that was covered with some kind of optical device. The next one was Hoshigaki Kisame. A big blue guy, not bad looking in person, with jagged teeth and navy blue hair.

"Ruriko, get a move on already! It looks like they haven't ordered yet. Go serve them!" Osamu ordered. I rolled my eyes and approached the table, trying not to trip in the ridiculous shoes I wore.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" I tried to be as nice as possible, but it was so hard. Deidara looked up first and smirked.

"Hell yea, hmm. How about some-"

"Mitarashi dango would be all, thanks." Kisame interrupted him with a snort, smacking cash down. I blinked, watching Deidara scowl at him. I picked up the money.

"Yea, sure… Mind giving me a bit more money than that, though?" I asked with a grin.

"Ruriko, what the hell are you doing?" Osamu barked.

"I think she's trying to rip them off." Kin muttered. I ignored them, watching Kisame give me a suspicious glare.

"Mitarashi dango is only 200 ryo." He stated. I blinked.

"It is. Why won't you let me start a conversation with you?" I asked.

"Because he's a blue-faced jerk," Deidara snorted, then smirked at me, taking out some cash and handing it over, "If it gets you to stay longer, I'll pay you anything you want, hmm." I noticed Kisame twitch and blush somewhat purple, looking down at the table like he was ashamed of his color.

Aw… I kind of felt bad for him.

… Kinda.

"Thanks," I beamed, snatching up the cash, "I'll be right back. I don't want to starve you!"

"Thank the gods, hmm." Deidara leaned back in his seat, smirking. I turned my back and went into the kitchen. I gave the order to the chef guy and went around back.

"So far, they don't ACT like criminals." I muttered.

"That's how they move around, brat." Osamu snorted.

"Shut up!" I barked.

"Just keep watching." Kin stated. I sighed, then went back around, but smacked into someone.

"Sorry." I muttered, going by the silver-haired guy, who's round glasses seemed to reflect the sun.

"No problem." He smirked and went by. I rolled my eyes, then went back to give the tray, but suddenly stopped. I got the worst feeling at this point. Like the air had suddenly gotten heavier.

"Osamu… Kin… What's going on out there?" I asked, leaning on a closet.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?" Kin demanded. I grimaced, watching my vision shift and blur.

"Something's wrong. I'm dizzy."

"Nerves?" Osamu tried, but he didn't sound convinced. I pressed my palm my forehead, grimacing again before I lifted my eyes. They landed on my wrist. I blinked and looked down at a little needle that had hit my wrist. I cried out and tore it out. As soon as I did, the syringe crashed to the floor and exploded, knocking me back as well as half the store.

I gasped.

"Ruriko? What the hell just happened?" Osamu barked.

"The whole place exploded!" Kin yelled.

"Agh," I spat blood out my mouth and scrambled to my feet, "Some guy… He slammed a syringe into my arm and it exploded when I threw it down. There's somebody else here… I'm going to retreat, so… Keep an eye out…" My voice was fading to my own ears and I slammed back to the floor. The last thing I heard was Osamu yelling curses in my ear and Kin telling him to shut up and do something.

I think that old hag and Nero just jinxed my mission… Idiots…

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A/N: Sorry if any of it seemed rushed. 0o; I got ahead of myself as well as distracted a few times. -shifty eyes- Don't have much else to say for this chapter… xD Thanks for reading, hope the OCs are in character, and your reviews are loved with a passion!