Arriving at the Hokage palace within ten minutes, but staying concealed until they see Haruka, Neji and Kiyoko then make themselves known and the Hyuuga male asks worriedly. "Do you mean to leave me so soon, Haruka?"

Furrowing her brows at him, the pink clad kunoichi states bluntly. "You are my life line against this man to use my bargaining tool. You should not be here."

"If Danzo is here already, you realize you will probably not get an audience with him." Neji points out with a small frown.

"He will be afraid of me sharing my information with the wrong people if he does not." She points out simply, putting a hand on her hip and looking off. "It makes no difference to me if he sees me or not; but it will to him."

Falling silent and thoughtful, Neji then sighs before offering simply. "I see… none the less, the two of us will be here waiting for you. I'll also be keeping my eye on you from out here."

"..I…appreciate that." She answers before nodding once and turning, making her way into the palace. When she starts to the stairs leading to the basement, she notices two masked ANBU standing nearby. "I request meeting with Danzo-san." She states simply, her face bland as she looks between the two, towards the door.

One ANBU wearing a hawk mask crosses his arms while the other, wearing a cat mask puts his hands on his hips. "He is not here right now."

"I followed him here. I know he is down those stairs. If you please, I have important information that I am sure he would prefer I share with him, rather than someone else." She states coolly, closing her eyes as she maintains a steady heart beat. I don't know what sorts of abilities they have. I have to maintain my calm demeanor. Even an elevated heart rate could give them more information than I would like.

Lowering his hands from his hips, the second ANBU turns without a word and walks down the stairs as the hawk masked male states firmly. "Please remain here."

Several minutes go by before the cat mask reappears and says simply. "Come this way."

Meanwhile, outside the palace, Neji watches with his veins on the side of his face pulsing. Kiyoko murmurs worriedly.

"…is she okay…?"

"…i'm not sure… but she made her way inside…"

Haruka is lead into an area lit up with candles where Danzo sits with his back to the two looking through a few documents. Lifting his head he turns and takes up a seat. Two other members of ANBU, one with a rabbit mask and the other a fox stand to either side of the pink clad Kunoichi while the other returns to his post. "What information do you have for me, Haruka Kanata no Seiryoku?"

"Two bits, actually. One is information on you; the other is information you might like to have." She answers smoothly, her eyes meeting with his as she bows lowly, her hair falling over her shoulders.

"I see. Well, then lets begin with what you think you know about me." Motioning out a hand for her to sit.

"…any idea what they're saying?" Kiyoko asks.

"…no. though I can see through the walls, I'm unable to pick up the mouth-movements, nor does it grant me supernatural hearing…" Neji mutters, still frowning gently.

Wow, come to think of it, if someone could use the byakugan and sharingan, it'd be really excellent for espionage… Then her mind wanders and she blinks and puts a hand over her eyes and blushes. Oh god. Why did I just picture that…? Neji and I having a kid? Probably just because I'm the last Uchiha female…

Seating herself cross legged upon the mat before her, the raven haired woman responds with a bit of a question. "Forgive my impertinence, but…I'm curious how you came upon the ability to use Mokuton."

"You believe I possess the ability to perform wood release jutsu?" Danzo repeats with a slight frown. She's brave… no doubt she has some trick lined up in the chance that she's unable to speak to anyone else about this.

"I know it to be true." She answers assuredly before adding. "And I know that the only way to gain such power is assumed to be through Orochimaru." I shouldn't push that much harder… "You're quite powerful, and I've not yet sided myself on who should be Hokage." She finishes, her eyes remaining collected.

"I see." The older man rubs his scarred chin thoughtfully before asking. "And what information do you have for me?"

"I'm not sure yet if I should give it. Your statements to the other candidate… If this information about your own abilities came to light, it could horribly damage your chances. But there is information about Rinsu Morimoto that could damage hers as well. If hers came out, but yours did not…" She infers, allowing a slight, sly smirk to cross her lips before it quickly fades.

"That's strange…" Neji comments. "I just noticed, Haruka's chakra seems.. Oddly perked."

"It's her ability… her family possesses a jutsu that allows them to see energy flow of varying kinds. She probably activated it on the way here." Kiyoko explains.

"Hmm.. Well this is also odd. Danzo's arm, and his eye… the ones he seems to keep in bandage, the chakra color is different than the rest of his body…" Neji points out.

Seeming thoughtful, Danzo furrows his brows. I could use my power to just force her information out of her, but… with her assumed power she may be able to see it change before I use it. Ah, I have an idea… "What do you know about Hatake Kakashi?"

"Enough." She answers, forcing back her apprehension.

Moving one hand to touch his bandaged arm, he explains. "He and I are alike in ways. I lost my arm in a battle. A man I was associated to donated his arm to me before he died. I was naturally capable of suiton techniques, whereas he was capable of doton. My training with the Shodai Hokage taught me the techniques I would need to use it."

"So that's why your arm…" She continues, admitting the knowledge before adding. "And your eye?"

"This eye…" Danzo continues to lie. "Is a failed experiment of my own. It does nothing but cause me pain." motioning out a hand invitingly, Danzo then offers. "Now that I've shared with you, Young lady…."

Narrowing her eyes gently, she speaks plainly. "Whereas I don't believe most of what you've told me…out of respect, I find it pertinent to share with you as well. But do not take me lightly, Danzo-san. I am as talented with the mind as any of your black ops."

"Of course not." Danzo returns calmly while trying to reign his annoyance.

"…Rinsu is horribly ill-tempered at times. She has shown this even recently within this very village. It is…very exploitable." She offers in part, closing her eyes. "Also; if you separate her from her sister and Gaara, which the later at the moment she already is, she is very susceptible to negative suggestion."

"I see." Danzo ponders for a moment before offering. "As a sign of good faith, I will also tell you something of the person who's body these belonged to. His name was Shisui… and he was related to your former lover."

"..Should this information be of importance to me?" She asks, seeming less disrespectful, and more so curious, though a slight twinge of agitation pinches at the back of her mind. Is he trying to anger me? Or perhaps it's a threat…

"Perhaps. If you should ever see him fight, pay close attention to his eyes." the older man offers before asking as if in closing. "Is there anything else you'd wish to tell me?"

"You've yet to tell me what you wish of my information, Danzo-san." She responds simply, moving to stand and bow unthreateningly.

"What can you tell me about Senka? If I'm to talk to Rinsu personally, I would need to know a good moment to do such." He asks simply.

"She sleeps in late. And what I meant was…the information on you that I possess." She clarifies, pushing her hair over her shoulder before standing straightly.

"Oh, of course. Well, if you choose to cooperate with me, then I can see that your criminal record is expunged. I can also make sure nothing that you've told me roots back to your colleagues, should they find out that we spoke on this they may definitely see it as another betrayal on your part."

"I agree. Fair enough. If you become Hokage, I won't be treated as criminally as the other missing nin?" She clarifies, lifting her head slightly.

"Yes, that's right." Danzo confirms with a nod. "Does that suit you?"

"I had been hoping for a bit more…but I am far from one to blackmail." She returns, bowing her head once more.

"Then perhaps if you continue to work with me, you can receive more of what you want." The scarred man implies.

Her eyes turning considerate, she only nods once before asking. "Two last questions, if I may be so bold. …If you become Hokage, what will become of Rinsu? I'm merely curious. We do not associate."

"I harbor nothing ill toward Rinsu. I will do what I can as Hokage to keep the village safe from threats. As long as she remains part of my village, she will be part of my responsibility." Besides, if anything were to happen to her, it would ruin Orochimaru's plans, and Madara as well.

"And if you lose…?" She asks leadingly, her bland disposition returning.

"Then it will be the Daimyo's decree. But, between the two of us… I do not see her lasting long before the stress breaks her down." He states bluntly, shaking his head.

"She is emotionally weak, and mentally untrained. It is a very good position. If you win, you become Hokage. If you lose, she obtains the title for no more than a few months at best before it's handed to you by default." She agrees with a nod before bowing her head once more. "You are truly wise…" The rat bastard… Senka was right; he is an underhanded snake. ..But he isn't wrong in his thoughts.

"I thank you. Now, I know that you said that the two of you don't associate, but… I would like for you to attempt to persuade her to accept my earlier proposal." Danzo requests confidently.

"..She is untrusting of me, but as you wish. …If I manipulate her well enough, I may at least be able to secure a meeting between the two of you." She offers.

"Whatever you are capable of." He nods back before she bows and then leaves the room. She's one of the ones he wanted… I may be able to deliver her easier than expected.

As Haruka appears back outside of the kage palace, Neji and Kiyoko quickly zip to her side. The medic nin is first to speak. "Are you alright?"

"What did Danzo say?" Neji follows up, still looking concerned as well.

"Not here." She offers, walking on past them before jumping up atop the wall nearby.

Re-gathering at the leaving site of the Akatsuki team, Haruka frowns gently, seeing hardly anyone left. "Damn. Can either of you at least see team seven?"

Making a hand seal in front of his face, Neji looks around for a moment before stating. "Just up the street, at Ichiraku."

Blinking then smiling a bit, Haruka offers thankfully. "You're very useful in a pinch."

Raising his brows, Neji then smirks pridefully. There's something …nice about being in the company of two women that appreciate my skills.

As the three come up to the ramen shop, Daisuke can be seen rushing off with a large white package strapped to his back.

"Looks like he's back to work. Ever since Teuchi-san's daughter came back, he's been running deliveries rather than taking orders." Kiyoko explains.

"I'm not as concerned with him at the moment." Haruka states, though her eyes drift over the brunette before she looks between the three nin. "Sasuke, would you mind having a private word with myself and a few others at your home within the hour?"

Turning around, Naruto frowns gently while slurping ramen. The more things change… they always ask for Sasuke…. But then his eyes blink open seeing Kiyoko with the other two and he quickly looks away, eating quickly as his face starts to flush.

Seeming thoughtful, and disregarding Naruto's actions, Sasuke nods gently to the pink clad Kunoichi. "Very well. Who are the others?"

"Naruto is the most important one I need there." She states, unknowing of the orange clad ninja's thoughts.

Choking suddenly on a mouthful of noodles, Naruto swallows hard, his eyes instantly peaked and watering. "R-really…? I'm…" Then he grins and jabs his chopsticks at Sasuke. "It's about time!"

Scoffing softly and seeming to pay this no mind, the sharp eyed Uchiha then asks of Haruka. "So aside from you, Naruto, myself and Sakura…"

Raising her brows gently, the dark haired woman states bluntly without recanting. "I hadn't needed Sakura for this in particular. It may be dangerous for her."

Flinching slightly, Sakura furrows her brows gently, turning off with a sigh. No matter what I do…Naruto is always protecting me… And just like it used to be, if it isn't Naruto, it's Sasuke…

"…You are, after all, 'Konoha's unsung hero'." Haruka finishes, her words entering into Sakura's thoughts as the brown eyed woman puts a hand on her hip.

"Number one at surprising people, that's right…" Naruto agrees with a grin, rubbing the back of his head.

Looking thoughtful a minute, Sasuke then moves closer to Sakura before offering reassuringly. "…it seems even I'm only involved by default, having a large empty home… if it were Naruto in my place, we would probably not be involved at all…."

"I actually see you as a great asset." Haruka corrects, making the pink-haired female slump, and Sasuke turn to stare at her sharply. "…If it's any consolation, I need Ino even less." She offers, making the green eyed kunoichi seem to perk a bit, though she says nothing.

"What's that matter? Ino's not even here!" Naruto points out bluntly before Sakura reaches up to thwack him.

"It Matters!"

"Haruka, are the rest of us, who are already involved, to be there as well?" Neji surmises, and when she nods in response, Sasuke recounts.

"Then we'll meet at my home within the hour."