So. They sent you this time.

Sora was in the Kazekage's office by summoning, the redhead sitting at his desk with the tattooed man Kankuro standing beside him. She glared and he smiled.

Kankuro was in charge of military and everything he ordered was consented by the Kazekage. This included ANBU members. Kankuro picked the individuals he thought suited for the job and with the Kage's consent they were recruited upon acceptance of the offer. When Sora was first asked at 16, she denied and they left her alone for a few months before doing it again. Every time, it was some ANBU member or jonin. Lately, they'd been persistent and she imagined it was because of the impending war. For the past several weeks, Kankuro had been asking Katou to sweet talk Sora into joining and when that didn't work, he visited her personally. That was fun. It seemed Kankuro gave up after that one visit and they were using the Kazekage himself as the last resort.

They really were desperate.

I feel loved.

On the other end of the room, Kankuro was filled with excitement and smugness. He had been forced to play his trump card and there was no way Sora Julius could get out of this one; this was Gaara.

Since gaining position over decision on military forces, this one girl had caught his attention and it wasn't just her good looks. That was only a little bit. At the age of 14, she achieved jonin status and often went on A-class mission solo. She failed none. Since attending Academy, she had been the top of everything and worked her way up the ladder rapidly. She'd refused joining ANBU for reasons unknown, but whatever it was, they needed someone like her on the forces. Okay, maybe not needed but desperately wanted. Kankuro recruited ANBU like he collected puppets and this was one he was not going to let slip through his fingers. He tried to coax Gaara in trying to persuade her and the Kage had been very reluctant to do so. He was not one to needlessly talk. However, Kankuro was persistent. Not only did Gaara have the intimidation with his glare, authority with his title but he could unknowingly charm the pants off any girl. After weeks of grovelling, the redhead finally broke and gave in, wanting nothing more than to get rid of his older brother's whining.

He just wanted it over with.

The Kazekage and Sora had met on several occasions, all of them formal. She was a nin and he was the Kage, after all. One of the things he'd come to like about the girl was that she didn't push boundaries unnecessarily. When there was a mission and she was summoned, she came, he explained, she accepted, got the job done, wrote an impeccable report, got her money and was gone until needed again. She didn't stay to chat, didn't try to avoid the assignment and most of all, she didn't fail. She did what she had to do and did it well. He liked this system and sighed heavily inside, as he was about to cross the line. Time to get it over with.

"I would like to hear the reason as to why you refuse to join ANBU."

Sora put her hands in her pockets and Gaara took note of it. She would only relax if she was confident and so he settled back into his seat in acceptance of this challenge.

"Does it matter? It's optional and I don't want to."

Hm. Shinobi who refused to be submissive by being arrogant were rare with him, but he had already dealt with several. He was disapproving of her insolence but were he in her situation, frustration was understandable. It didn't mean it was acceptable.

Her reply was something he'd predicted. Gaara slid the file he had prepared for this scenario on his desk towards her. Sora looked at the file, walked to the front of his desk and picked it up.

As she read, Kankuro explained, "The contents within that file are past offences you have committed but were not penalized for. They include several accounts of using B-class and above jutsus while not in a training ground, assignment, or with permission, using high class medic jutsu on a civilian without being a registered medic nin and the most recent has been," and he smirked, "theft."

You little fuckers.

At first, this whole ANBU persuading thing was frustrating and annoying, but she managed to get a little fun out of it. Now, she was pissed.

Sora and Katou had extreme sparring sessions in their backyard or somewhere in the woods or wherever. They didn't like training grounds because other people felt free to intrude whenever they felt like it. With Katou being popular with the girls, it was often. The interruptions were irksome and so they chose secluded places to train. They both forgot they needed permission. The second offense was when a Suna civilian man of around 30 years was going through spontaneous pneumothorax in the middle of the fucking streets. He just dropped to the ground and was coughing hard enough that his body looked to be spasming. Sora ran over, did a quick examination by sending her chakra into his body. Once discovering the collapsed lung, and the rupture of a small air sac, began work right then. So she wasn't licensed for the work but she knew what to do and the man was dying. Sora couldn't believe it was on her record under criminal offenses!

And as for the theft…fine, she deserved that one, even if they had a tonne of food.

These were all listed under minor offenses (except the medic one but circumstances allowed it to be) and she wouldn't get jail time or be stripped from her rank but they were playing dirty. Damn sand nins.

"I'm guessing," she said with forcefulness laced in her tone, "that this is supposed to scare me?"

"It's not a threat," Kankuro said and he was enjoying seeing her in such a vexed position. They had her and he was about to fly through the roof. "It's a bargaining chip. Join ANBU and it'll be gone. If not, well, you have quite the hefty fine to pay."

Hefty didn't even begin to describe the price. Sora set the folder back down on the desk and looked the Kazekage straight on. She refused to back down. "I'd rather pay." She said it as if the word was die instead of pay.

Jade eyes narrowed fractionally. He didn't know if she was bold or just an idiot. Why couldn't she just join ANBU? It was a remarkable accomplishment for any nin and came with great honor. This girl was capable of the tasks and based on her record and Kankuro's unfaltering pursuit, he doubted she would be taken down easily. No, this wasn't about her reliability. She was challenging him. Rather than cross, he was amused. It had been awhile since someone had dared.

Kankuro was baffled. "What? There's no way you have that kind of money! Sure they're minor but the number of times you've done them will…"

Sora droned him out, focused wholly on the jade set of eyes staring just as determinedly at her. "How much?"

Gaara remembered the number at the bottom of one of the pages. "3 860 000 ryo."

She made a conscious effort to keep her jaw in place. Wow. She did not expect that. It was the equivalent to 4 S-class missions! She supposed it did make sense if you counted all the times Katou and her sparred. It was a few times… everyday. This sucked; Katou probably wasn't charged because he was ANBU!

Sigh. It was too late to back down now and even if given the chance, she probably wouldn't. She cursed her pride. Sora did have the money but that would delve right into her stash for books and snacks… and clothes and weapons and canvases and paints and… her inner self cried.

Sora wouldn't be able to continue the eye contact without him noticing how devastated she was, so she broke away to turn her gaze on Kankuro. It quickly turned to a glare.

"When do you want it by?" You fucking jerk.

He was still recovering from the shock. His mightiest weapon was… futile.

Gaara supplied the words, "Here at 7."

And then she turned for the exit. Sora wasted no time in getting out. Without a single goodbye, she walked out the doors.

Gaara watched her retreating form with a new curiosity. Once the doors closed behind her, he regarded the still gaping Kankuro.

Yes, she was interesting.

She was lamenting. Sora pulled the black briefcase under her bed out, sent a surge of her chakra into the lock and it opened with a click. She opened a different empty, normal black briefcase and began transferring the money, counting to 3 860 000 ryo. Sora had no attachments to money but that wasn't to say her heart didn't get heavier with every stack she put in the second case. She had saved up all this money and now all at once, it'd be gone. She'd have maybe 30 000 ryo left. She'd have to take up a whole bunch of missions, and fast.

Ugh. And I was getting used to being lazy.

There was a knock on the door and Sora inwardly groaned, recognizing the chakra signature like her own.

Katou.

The door handle turned and Katou managed a few steps inside before stilling at the sight. Regaining posture, he took a few more, closing the door behind and sat next to her.

"Let me guess," he said, "They're holding your signed copy of the Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi ransom."

Sora wasn't in the mood for jokes. She continued to sort the money and in monotone said, "They're fining me for using high class jutsu outside of missions and training grounds, for that one guy with that lung problem and thievery."

His smile fell, replaced by a frown. "You can't be serious." She threw him a does-it-look-like-I'm-joking sneer. "How much?"

"3 860 000 ryo." An empty second passed. "Close your mouth."

It snapped shut before speaking again in outrage, "That's ridiculous! You saved a man's life for crying out loud!" He began to stand up, "I'm going to give them a piece of my mind!"

"Idiot, stop." She grabbed his ankle mid-step and he lost balance, falling unceremoniously to the ground. "All the charges are valid. No matter which way you look at it, they're true. It was either this or joining ANBU. After I pay, they'll leave me alone." She sighed, going back to counting money.

Katou was at a loss. She was right. Like always. "I'll pay half-"

"Shut up," she snapped, and midnight scowled. "I can pay for it myself."

"I was the reason for the sparring-"

"It was mutual. However, this is my choice, Katou. I am in no dire need of money and I can regain it." She turned back to the money in her hands and waved a dismissive hand, "If you want to help, be a good boy and make me some tea. With honey, just the way I like it."

It worked. It always did.

Katou got to his feet again and she didn't have to turn around to see his flaming appearance. "Make your own damned tea! For God's sake, Sora! Why don't you ever let anyone help you? This is partially my fault and I should take responsibility too, and not just throw it on you but no. You're too prideful! You think you're independent but you can't even join ANBU because you can't stand the sight of blood! What sort of shinobi-" He stopped, but it was too late.

The unsaid words hung in the air. It was as if time froze for the next extreme moments.

His soft-spoken words of apology diffused through the silence. "Sora, I-"

"Leave."

For the count of 10 heartbeats, he didn't. Katou stood motionless, perplexed as to how this came to be, what he should do now. It was always at times like this where he tried to aid her in some way, any way, but was unable to that he stopped thinking and went too far. It was more than likely related to when they first met. When she first saw his blood on her and how helpless he felt during the time that in the present, he still felt the need to make it up somehow. The best thing now though, was to silently leave. So he did.

When the door closed, she let out the breath she was holding.

Phew. That was close.

Sora slid her black briefcase under the bed and took the handle of the other. She thought about walking through the front door, but Katou would probably stop her so she went out her bedroom window.

Did she feel guilty? A little bit, but it was necessary. Sora knew Katou like she knew Jiraiya's first novel, 'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja,' and read him just as well. She took no offense to his almost insult; something so petty couldn't harm her. She understood where it came from and that he didn't mean it. Katou was someone easily overcome with his own emotions. He was probably wallowing in remorse back home and when she went back, he'd give a bone-crushing hug and apologize relentlessly. She'd forgive him and all would be well once again.

Actually… she looked to the sky. Yusa was out with his friends at some bar, and Aika would be finishing her shift at the hospital soon. Sora would have to quickly visit the Kazekage and make up with Katou if she wanted to avoid him telling the parents, in need of some advice. They'd know what she was up to and would not appreciate her manipulating their son...again. She wasn't in the mood for a lecture, so she placed more chakra on her feet and sped forward through the sand, towards the Kazekage's office.

She's early.

It was 6:40 and though he was only finishing up his papers, Gaara didn't like being disturbed. However, he made an exception for her and let Sora through the doors. The girl stepped through, eyeing the nins guarding his office. The doors closed and midnight saw jade. She walked with confidence to his desk and placed on it a black briefcase that sounded a low thud. She clicked it open and like a clam, it opened and displayed its contents.

With one thorough evaluation, the Kazekage nodded his consent. He was impressed that she had that kind of money so readily available.

She closed the lid and locked it. "Great. Don't bother me again."

She turned to leave.

As if he was going to let her go that easily.

"I propose a trade."

She halted. Another one?

The thought of just walking out and ignoring him was quickly reprimanded. This was the Kazekage; she couldn't just ignore him. Secondly, judging by the situation she was in, it probably had something to do with her money. It'd be better to listen. Sora turned back around and faced him, her eyes narrowed. He wore the same stoic expression but there was something in his eyes. He looked… amused.

What the hell?

She crossed her arms, spiteful that she was being looked at like a toy. "Let's hear it."

"I assume that this," and his gaze fell to the briefcase in front of him before returning to hers, "has taken its toll on your current finances."

Sora raised her chin slightly to show she was listening and interested.

"I'm willing to return it and erase all offenses."

"On what terms?" If he says the word ANBU, I just about might become a missing nin.

"I require an escort to Konoha in the next 4 days."

After her mind processed the words, she immediately became suspicious. She analyzed every word, every possible meaning behind them and found nothing. Watchfully, she asked, "That's it?"

"Yes."

…

"That's seriously all you want?"

"I do not repeat myself."

Her tense body relaxed when she saw no deceit.

Well. This was a positive turnout. She wanted to ask why, but that might give him second thoughts and then take back the offer. With a tentative grin, she said, "Sure."

"Be prepared at the Suna gates by 6 am in four days."

"Understood." He nodded and went back to the paperwork.

This was… strange. Aversely, she walked forward and grabbed the suitcase. She half expected him to yell, 'Psych' and then take her money but he didn't. The Kazekage was absorbed in his work and paid no mind, even when the case was off his table and by her side.

Strange.

She walked out the doors and it was only then she realized the breath she was holding. Sora exhaled and made her way back home at quick pace. Luckily, the parents weren't home. As expected, Katou squeezed her breathless and practically groveled at her feet for forgiveness. Being the kind, caring and compassionate human being she was, she said, 'K' and then went to sleep.

For some reason or another, she couldn't get the color green out of her head. It must've been the heat.

A/N

Ugh. I really should be doing school work but...meh.
And so, the kindle to a flaming infero of love has been ignited! Ridiculously cheesey, I know.
This story's plot line is rushed and will develop VERY quickly. Lots of drama, lots of emotions as a forewarning
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