Konohamaru groaned in frustration. The plan he and Hanabi formed was for them to keep look-out for the night in case Akatsuki made an appearance. It was just his foul luck that he was second to stay on watch. There truly was nothing worse than enjoying a night's sleep in a comfy bed and having Hanabi roughly shake you awake, ordering you to sit in a tree for the next six hours.

Despite his fatigue, he was still sharp enough to have not moved the entire time. For being a follower of Naruto, the kid had a lot more skill for the slower aspects of ninja-work. Indeed, he was sure that unless someone was informed of his presence in the tree, they'd have no idea he was there.

This was more useful for him than he could have at first comprehended. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. He guessed it may be Hanabi, possibly unable to sleep well and deciding to spend her energy to continue look-out. Despite her exterior, he was beginning to see a thawing side to her personality, perhaps she wasn't as cold as she made out to be.

It was at this thought 'made out' that Konohamaru recollected that the two had kissed. Blushing slightly, he realised that was in fact his first kiss. For most of his life, he only dreamed of becoming a great a ninja as his grandfather, there was little time to think about girls. Even so, he understood the importance of someone's first kiss. He wondered if it had been hers too.

He was so worried at the time that Itachi would see through the act, he hadn't had time to appreciate it. It was then that it hit him; what if she was coming to talk about that? He hadn't really given her much choice when he threw himself at her. Nervous that she would want to start another argument, Konohamaru stole a glance at where the figure was moving.

Then another thought struck him; what if she came about the kiss, but not to argue? This thought was fairly more unlikely than the former, but he chose it as the more preferable. If truth be told if it hadn't been for the looming figures of those two psychopaths he may have actually enjoyed it, but then, if they hadn't been there, would he still have wanted to kiss her?

Grinning slightly, Konohamaru looked for the figure, wondering how he would react if Hanabi came to talk to him – would he play it cool, as if it was only a small thing? Would he tell her it was his first time? Would he reject her?

These thoughts were left unanswered. He saw the figure, and it was big.

Konohamaru tensed when it came into the moonlight.

'No way!' He thought. 'We're in trouble!' He didn't dare move or make a noise. It was so silent that Konohamaru could have sworn he heard the beads of sweat slide down his temple.

What he saw horrified him. Kisame had arrived.

The Mist-ninja paced around the spot Konohamaru was watching for a few minutes. The Genin couldn't believe his eyes; he didn't have a scratch on him.

Swaying his Akatsuki cloak in the wind, Kisame stopped as he noticed another figure fast approaching. Konohamaru noticed it too. The figure dashed into the moonlight and revealed itself to the two observers.

This man was wearing Akatsuki garments too, complete with straw hat, thus Konohamaru couldn't identify him. Was it Itachi? How fast did these guys heal? There wasn't a mark on either of them.

The second man spoke first.

"You'll want to get rid of that outfit." He commented plainly.

"Why? I think it suits me?" Kisame laughed.

"There's been a fight near the Fire Nation. The fields were a mess for miles. I couldn't find anyone but a group of dead Leaf ninja – I thought reconnaissance had told us only four Konoha Shinobi were active outside the border?"

"So?" Kisame responded.

"So why are these guys at this battlefield? Is the Hidden Leaf acting faster than we anticipated? The wounds found on them resemble the attacks from Samehada. I'm sure they went for the Akatsuki." The man with the straw hat explained.

"He-he, so? If anyone spots me, then people will only think they got their sources on Hoshigaki's location wrong."

"That would be true, if Kisame had not abandoned his cloak and ring at the battlefield," He produced the cloak and the Kanji ring, "You've got to ditch that attire. We're fortunate enough that Hoshigaki will probably take the attack as a challenge – you're diversion was a success, but now it seems he may have left the Akatsuki, and thus he'll be harder to frame."

"Hmmm, I see your point. Besides, the other nations will only stand by and watch Konoha struggle if they think it's just them versus Kisame. If they see me walking around like this, they'll question their sources, and begin to sending their own ninja to snoop around. Best to keep them distracted." Kisame concluded.

With this, Kisame disappeared in a ball of smoke, and there stood an equally tall figure. His attire was equally dark; Konohamaru noted the dozens of black Kunai strapped to his clothing, and the two katana strapped to his back. Around his left arm was the chain of a Johyo, with the handle embedded within his wrist whilst is right hand had a jagged knuckle-duster.

Konohamaru noted this guy wasn't the shark-faced monster he'd seen earlier that day, but his attire was just as menacing.

"Listen Kumakisu, I've heard he has begun gathering a few followers now." The straw-hat-man commented.

The heavily armoured man – Kumakisu, turned to his comrade. The informant continued.

"This plan is taking too long. Sure, we've got the roads clear from interference. I've noticed even the smaller villages have followed the actions of the five nations, yet finding one guy in a derelict landscape can be just as hard with or without the other ninja interfering."

"That may be, but it's the only plan we've got right now. Besides, we haven't closed down the other villages so they won't interfere; we've closed them so they wouldn't hear about what he's done." Kumakisu retorted.

Up in the tree, Konohamaru was immersed by this meeting. Who exactly were these two? It was clear they were a part of the plot to assassinate the Feudal lords. And all this was to find one guy? Who could they want so badly that they'd risk the hand of both the five nations and the Akatsuki?

"Our concern isn't the manpower okay? I don't care how you do it; just find him, okay? I want him dead!" Kumakisu's voice rose at this line.

This guy wanted his victim's life, badly.

"I don't think vengeance is the optimum course at this time, if we're too open about our movements, the villages will find out Sensei is dead, and we'll be targeted from every angle. Why not let the little traitor run about his business for the time being. He's not the type to go mouthing off about this -" The informant was cut short by Kumakisu.

"How dare you! He left our leader, our saviour to die! After all he has done for that spineless bastard. I want his head, you understand. Just do it!"

"…It's not just you calling the shots, his right-hand-man gets a say in this too. I'm not pursuing the renegade anymore without his say-so." The informant stood resolute, but both Konohamaru and Kumakisu saw through this.

"Talking back, eh?" Kumakisu movement was supersonic. He left no sound, except the scream of the informant as he hit the ground. Konohamaru blinked twice but wasn't sure how this man, so weighed down with weaponry, moved with such speed.

Struggling to keep on his feet, the wounded man coughed up some blood before laughing. Konohamaru knew bad-guys like these two enjoyed a bit of pain, but he couldn't understand how this guy would laugh at a blow like that.

"You can…beat on me all you want…but you're not the boss of this operation…you want your revenge…then you'll only be slowing it down by fighting me…" Rising, the informant's straw hat fell. Underneath the hat was a full head of long blonde hair, with bangs covering a side of the man's face. Konohamaru then gasped in disbelief.

It was several months ago, only days after the boss's return to the village. Upon completing another mission, Ebisu-Sensei had ordered his team to take on a few solo missions…Konohamaru went to the mission registration office but found no one there on that particular day. Opting to behave in the same manner as Naruto, he went straight to the Old Lady's office, but again found no one.

He did however see one of the cabinets marked for Jonin still unlocked. Stepping towards it, he saw a document marked with the red blood cloud. His ear was sharp enough in the village to have heard this was the emblem of the Akatsuki, and so he knew this was the Akatsuki files. He'd been informed of two of them infiltrating the village three years ago – Itachi Uchiha being one of them.

His instincts told him not to browse into something as secret as that, but he, like many of the Genin, wanted to at least know the faces of their enemies. Opening the document, he saw but one page, titled, DIEDARA.

It took him only a few moments to scan the page when he learnt the man had died only two days ago, in combat with Might Gai's team. It also mentioned how Naruto's friend Sakura had defeated another Akatsuki member Sasori.

It was Deidara's face that disturbed him. Following his grandfather's death, Orochimaru's face had been shown to all villagers, especially the Academy Students – this was in order to recognise him should he stage another pre-emptive assault. Between that snake-like fiend and the horror stories about the Uchiha Clan's murderer, Konohamaru had built a disposition of labelling the bad-guys simply on their monstrous appearance. This wasn't helped by Naruto describing Gaara's transformation as twisted, and speaking of some 'Demon of the Mist' guy.

All in all, Konohamaru had spent much of his youth questioning why the good ninja didn't just go for the guys who looked sinister. That is why when he saw Deidara's face; he couldn't understand why such a friendly looking guy would join the Akatsuki. His face was gentle, effeminate even – nothing like the serpent features on Orochimaru's.

It was the same face as he saw in the document. How was this guy still alive? He was described by the four ninja witnesses as 'self-destructing into clay' yet here he was, alive and well, and staring down the glare of his new partner Kumakisu.

"Enough of this Kumakisu, we're out in the open here. Who knows; Kisame's partner the Uchiha guy may be in the same vicinity, and we haven't the time to fight him now. Proceed north, if we're correct in our sources, your target may be heading there soon enough."

Kumakisu growled, and then nodded, before sprinting off into the distance. Deidara stood for a moment, shaking his head.

"It'll be in the village's best interests if that fool died along side his target. I'll never know what Sensei saw in a freak like that…" With that, he too took off into the night, in the opposite direction to Kumakisu. Konohamaru noticed it was in the same direction as the land of Greens.

The Genin waited a few moments more before breathing again. He had to do something. Dropping from the tree, he raced right to the inn Hanabi resided in.

Konohamaru had been right about one thing; Hanabi was struggling to sleep that night. There were certain absolutes that she had held within her life: Her clan's importance, her role in that clan, the destiny in which she would walk.

These absolutes made her consider her family's place and practice as the most respectable within the Hidden Leaf Village. She'd even heard and believed in the stories of the Uchiha Clan patenting the Sharingan on the powers of the Byakugan. Yet what she witnessed today changed her perspective completely.

Mentally assessing herself, Hanabi admitted she had practically no experience in the ninjutsu the two Akatsuki members were displaying. She also remembered Konohamaru stating how Neji hadn't posed a threat to the Mist ninja Kisame when they clashed previously. In fact, her cousin's entire squad – amongst the most celebrated experts in Taijutsu were unsuccessfully when faced with Kisame's elemental mastery.

Had she, like much of her clan, become tied down to the physical arts of combat? Were the practices of her ancient heritage becoming just that…ancient? It was then that she remembered Konohamaru. Sure, his skills in Taijutsu were far below hers – he hadn't had to endure her father's constant training, yet in the forest he displayed that technique he was trying to master – the Rasengan, as she recalled. It was fleeting in its appearance, but it displayed a power far beyond the reach of her Gentle Fist combat.

If this Dead-Last Genin ever perfected it, her years worth of training would look second rate compared to it. She even questioned why her clan was so celebrated. They had not done anything particularly significant for the village. All the most famous ninja from Konoha had ties either to the Senju Clan's teachings and trainings or the Uchiha Clan's epic power – one just had to observe lady Hokage or Itachi to agree with that.

She felt insignificant – this feeling was personified by the image she recalled of Kisame, lifting her by her neck so effortlessly. Struggling, helpless; all the posturing, the pampered name of the Hyuga clan paled in comparison to true Shinobi power.

Her anxieties ceased to grow further when she heard the door open and saw Konohamaru hasten into the room. Rising from her bed, she was prepared to scold the idiot for being so noisy.

"What is wrong with -" She began.

"You've got to hear this!" He shouted.

"What?" She asked, bemused by his untactful approach to speaking to her. What if someone was listening?

Lowering his voice, he climbed onto her bed and began to whisper.

"I was on look-out, same spot we agreed on, then ten minutes ago I saw something."

"What was it?" Hanabi's annoyance had evaporated by the fear that now flooded her, was the Akatsuki here?

"At first I guessed it may have been you…but then the figure came into the moonlight…it was that Kisame guy again – well at least I thought it was…"

"…what does that mean?" Hanabi wondered how he could confuse that beast with someone else.

"…well he waited and sure enough another guy in Akatsuki clothing turned up-"

"Itachi Uchiha? Did they start another fight?" Hanabi asked urgently. Her fear was growing more apparent, if the two clashed again, she would only be forced to acknowledge her own lack of skill again.

"Do you think we and this town would still be standing if they were? No, it wasn't the Uchiha guy, it was someone else. They talked about Kisame going up against our village, and how they were searching for some traitor to them."

"Who was the traitor? Another Akatsuki member?"

"I don't think so. The guy told Kisame to ditch the image, and it turned out he was using a transformation Jutsu – there's no doubt; the direction he came in, the talk about assassination attempts, distractions…he's the guy we're chasing!"

Hanabi took a moment to reflect in the situation. She mused at the probability that these guys would lay down their plan right in front of him, and questioned his judgement.

"…is this true?" She asked sceptically.

"…what? Of course it is! They stopped here because of the fight between the real Akatsuki." Konohamaru felt offended. She still didn't believe him.

"Uh-huh…right, and then you bravely fought them off, is that it? Get real, Konohamaru. Don't go waking me in the middle of the night with some crack-pot story you've come up with in a tree." She turned to lie down and sleep.

"I'm telling you the truth! These guys, they're playing the Akatsuki against us, just like we said. One of them, the informant was even another member – this Deidara guy -"

"Deidara, as I recall my cousin witnessed his death some time back. If you're gonna make up a story, get your facts straight first." Hanabi laughed.

"No! I know what I saw! Okay! Why are you being so stupid?" Konohamaru snapped.

"Why am I being so stupid? Why are you barging into people's rooms in the middle of the night and feeding them this crap?" She retorted.

"Grrrr, for such a brilliant skill, Hanabi, you sure like to keep your eyes closed a lot, huh? Trying to ignore what's around you? Yeah, I'd say that's just like your stuck-up clan -"

Hanabi's hand connected with his face, knocking him off the bed.

Breathing heavily, Hanabi had venom in her eyes.

"Never…talk about me…or my clan…like that again…" She hissed through her clenched teeth.

His words sunk further than he could have imagined. He just confirmed what she had previously been thinking, that her clan was ignorant to their surroundings. He had insulted her honour, her skills. Who did he think he was?

Climbing up off the floor, Konohamaru dusted himself off. He'd met arrogant people in his time…some called him and his boss the most arrogant of the hidden Leaf, but this girl was in denial. What was wrong with her? Who did she think she was?

Turning, Konohamaru marched out of the room.

"…you get wound up whenever some mentions your clan, and I'm not really sure why, so for what it's worth I'm sorry." He spoke solemnly. Hanabi looked on in shock.

"…but you can't have it both ways. I may not be smart enough to do the things you can, but I'm wise enough to know that you can never judge someone on their skills, believe it." With that he left the room, leaving Hanabi shaken.

The next morning, Hanabi washed and changed. Despite the tense encounter with her partner, she had managed to finally sleep. Stepping out into the town, she reflected on what Konohamaru had said. It warmed her somehow, and seemed to silence the anxieties that were growing in her mind.

She supposed he wouldn't be one to judge on power, considering he's been an underdog for much of his life. But his statement wasn't one of an ignorant Genin, it was one only a Hokage could have articulated. Was this mimicry from Konohamaru's grandfather, or was it more genuine than that? He may not have inherited the Third's skill, but he spoke in the same manner, with the same mind, with the same will.

Standing beneath the tree, Konohamaru looked out south, his arms crossed, his face brooding. She guessed despite the little display of Sarutobi wisdom, he still was just a kid. Sulking. She took a deep breath and marched over to him.

"Er…good morning…" She smiled meekly.

"Hmph." He shrugged, looking away from her.

"About last night: I was out of order. I had a lot on my mind, and when you spoke of my family -" She began.

"If this is your way of an apology, then it needs some work." He snapped.

Hanabi gritted her teeth. True, she did find it hard to point out any of her faults.

"…you're right. I'm sorry."

Silence filled the air between them, broken only by Konohamaru's sigh.

"…nah, forget about it!" He grinned, scratching his head.

Hanabi gave a small laugh; this kid was too much sometimes.

"Okay, last night. If I'm gonna believe you on this meeting thing, then I'm gonna have to hear the story again, bit by bit." Hanabi requested.

Konohamaru proceeded to explain the entire scene he witnessed, making sure she realised that Deidara had headed to the Land of Greens.

"So even if you don't believe me, we'll definitely find answers if we carry on our mission…and I'll be proven right." He had an obnoxious smile on his face as he said this.

"…did you stop to consider that if this Kumakisu was impersonating Kisame that this Deidara was just a doppelganger as well?" Hanabi asked.

"You may be right. But then why impersonate someone who's dead?" He responded.

"I don't know. Perhaps they're information isn't what they thought it was. Regardless, we'll only know once we get to the land of Greens. Let's go." Hanabi went to leave, Konohamaru grabbed her shoulder to stop her.

"Wait a moment. Seriously, you and I are chafing too much on the mission. I'm happy to accept your cool personality, but you've got to let this clan-honour thing go, at least while we're out here, okay?" He asked. She nodded after a moment of contemplation.

"Right: no more Genin, no more comparison, no more Hyuga Clan. Until we end this, we'll be Hanabi and Konohamaru." She declared.

With that, they slipped down the winding road, before any of the townsfolk could even notice they left. Such was the way of true Shinobi.

"You send groups of your Root ANBU to areas where Maharishi Anko is positioned, as well as several other of my Jonin – areas that were already heavily fortified, yet you leave gaps open on my border without informing me!" Tsunade's screech was intolerable, yet Danzo did not react.

"…If there was a gap in the border, then the blame falls entirely on you. I am innocent." Danzo coolly replied.

"Grrr, don't play that game with me, you rotten old fool. Those areas were empty because you called my ninja back under the pretence of my orders."

"You can't prove that."

"No, I can't. Even so, that is not what's really annoying me. You weren't as careful as you think; your men passed Hatake Kakashi and Nara Shikamaru. They've sent a message, shall I read it?" Tsunade had a manic smile across her face. She had it because this information forced a reaction; Danzo visibly tensed.

"The message reads: 'Hokage, Our squadron had noted the withdrawal of several Chunin three hours ago. We've also witnessed ANBU escorting seven Leaf Chunin to the open border – the Chunin proceeded to cross the threshold. Upon closer inspection, ANBU bore resemblance to Root. Requesting permission to investigate, Hatake Kakashi.' Quite interesting, don't you think?"

"Hmph, you trust the words 'bore resemblance'? Hatake may have been mistaken. I didn't order that manoeuvre. If you're ninja are acting beyond their duties, then it says more about your lack of leadership skills." Danzo had composed himself again.

"Wave it off all you want. I am willing to accept Kakashi's word over yours. What were you doing? Who did you send beyond the border, and why?"

"I can assure you I have no connection to this scandal -" Danzo was cut off by the appearance of Katsuyu.

"Milady! Milady!" She cried.

"What!" Tsunade roared, she didn't need to be interrupted with Danzo on the ropes.

"We've an emergency Milady. Our borders have been attack!"

Both Shinobi froze, Tsunade could have sworn Danzo even flicked a small grin.

"Attacked? By who?" Tsunade asked.

"Unconfirmed reports state it is Kisame Hoshigaki!"

Well, I hope you enjoyed it! I wanted to get the heroes moving again, and this isn't the last we'll see of these new foes, like it or loathe it! please drop some feedback :)