This chapter is really short, but it's because i want the next one to be super long.

I know i haven't posted in... well, in like a few months, so sorry? I kinda, just, didn't want to write until tonight so... yeah.

Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto... yada, yada... i own my OCs... yada, yada

"You did what?" The current Hokage's voice seemed to go dangerously low as she looked at the hostage. The ninja surrounding said hostage strained to stay still, each one wanting to shuffle from the stifling tension.

"I did not do anything." Oddly enough the hostage, the sword mistress nomad, was calm; she kept eye contact with the angry leader for a moment before looking out the window. "But I will admit to saying things that may have … raddled Hyuuga-sama's cage."

"And what was your angle?" Tsunade's sharp words were barely contained below a shout. "Did you think if one of your hosts- a NOBLE!- protested your stay here you would be released? Was that your angle?"

"I must admit," Kumo mused, a slight upturn of her lips revealing her amusement. "I did not think of that as an option but that is a very good idea. I applaud you for your forethought, leader-sama; when can I leave?"

Tsunade's mouth opened but no sound came out. A moment later, however, she snarls and her fist slams atop her desk.

"You fool!" Rock Lee flinched slightly from the volume but other than that no one moved. "If Hiashi were to complain the council would execute you! You would die!"

The amusement drained from the woman's face and in its place came a calm resignation. Her shoulders lowered slightly and her hands came to settle on her lap. She looked the picture of serene.

"Then so be it."

"Then so- -" The Hokage sputters to silence before she frowns. "You wish to die?"

"No." She honestly answers; she had noticed the stiffening of Team Gai and decided to settle their fear. For a moment, at least. When she looked up, however, defiance filled her otherwise calm eyes. Her fingers curled into fists on her lap, showing her anger more than her apathetic words.

"But I would rather die than be trapped in a cage like a song bird."

Caged like a song bird.

Caged… Song bird…

CAGED!

Her words echoed around the room, each person shocked to some degree. Before anyone could react, however, a single set of triple-knocks disturbed the silence before the door opened and a familiar pineapple hared Nin walked through. He looked as bored as always, his lethargic steps muffled by the carpet. He was carrying a stack of papers to the Hokage's desk, uncaring or unaware of the heavy silence that hung in the air.

"Here," He yawns. "The papers you asked for."

"Nara," There was a slight pause as the Hokage looked him up and down with her eyes. "These are late by a week…"

The male in question just shrugs, his hands slipping back into his pockets. "That's what you risked when assigning them to me."

She shot him a look that clearly said she was disappointed before her eyes fell on the quiet swordswoman. Kumo, herself, had her eyes trailed on the lazy ninja; her emotions were hard to describe and when Tsunade couldn't decode it she did get a brilliant idea.

"Nara!"

"Ah…" His eyes pull away from the drifting clouds to land on the grinning blonde. "Yes… Hokage-sama?"

"You have a new assignment!"

His only reply was to sigh, all hopes to sleep dashed away.

"Your new assignment is to care for our… guest at nights. I heard you finally moved out of your family home and have your own place, yes?"

"…Ma?" A mix of emotions played across his face for a moment; disbelief, anger, despair, annoyance. It quickly faded, though, before he shoves his already stuffed hands farther into his pants. He was going to regret asking but… "And who is our guest…?"

"Miss Kyoui-Kumo Rurousha."

"Crap." They cursed at the same time.

Tsunade's grin turned practically Cheshire like.