When I woke up I felt horrible. Like, really horrible. Not the worst hangover, but definitely up there. Sore head, faint feeling of spinning - and who the hell made the light hurt?

I groaned and turned over, away from the window. I found Gai next to me, propped up and reading something. When he heard me move, he turned around to look at me and gave me a dazzling smile.

"Good morning! It's a wonderful day!" I groaned again and hid my head under the covers.

"You need to invest in some better curtains. First chance I get, I'm buying you some good quality black out ones. Why is it so bright in here?"

I heard a rumbling laugh. "I see your Unyouthful hangover has arrived! I shall make you my Refreshing Wake Up Smoothie! It is the best thing to restart your day!"

"I really don't think a smoothie is going to cut it. I feel dead...why don't you feel dead? It's not fair."

"I have many reasons for feeling Youthful and Energised this morning!"

"Like wh-"

I was interrupted by a hard banging at his apartment door. Each thump made my skull want to burst open.

"Oh god, make it stop..."

I felt movement on the bed, and guessing Gai went to get whoever was at the door.

"Hey Gai, you didn't make it to team breakfast this morning. I said I'd come over and make sure you were still alive," I heard an unfamiliar voice speak.

"Yosh! My most sincere apologies! I cannot believe I forgot! I will send word to Chouza and Ebisu!"

"No worries," the stranger drawled. I head padded footsteps enter the apartment. "First time for everything."

"That is no excuse! I will ensure I won't miss another!"

"Well, next one is in four weeks - same time and place, unless you're on a mission. They had good pancakes."

"Then I shall be there!"

After that I heard some quiet chat between the two. From the conversation, I guessed it was Shiranui Genma - one of Gai's genin teammates. He talked about them enough I practically knew their life story. Gai was incredibly fond of his old team, and had nothing but positive things to say about them.

Having enough of wallowing in my pain, I got up and grabbed one of Gai's t-shirts from the dresser. It was one of his few pieces of clothing that wasn't workout gear, and swamped me like a dress.

I walked through and found them chatting by the kitchen area. I gave them a quick wave before flumping onto the sofa ungracefully, curling into a ball.

I heard a throat clear in surprise before Genma whispered. "Well...guess this explains your absence. Gai, you dog! I didn't think you had it in you! What happened to the whole 'Noble Gentleman' thing? I'm proud!"

I chuckled, even if it hurt. "'Noble Gentleman'? Gai, you don't half come out with some crap."

"Oh, sorry - I didn't mean to be rude. I'm Genma, but the way," he came over to shake my hand, which I returned.

"Erena. And I'm hungover, not deaf...sorry for stealing Gai this morning, I didn't even know he had plans. I'm sure breakfast would have been more entertaining than watching over my drunken ass."

"I was more than happy to stay with you this morning, Erena!"

"I bet you were." Genma waggled his eyebrows. "You, how'd you meet anyway? I'm guessing a bar, judging by your current state?"

Gai laughed. "You misunderstand! Erena is my Girlfriend!"

Genma looked between us, surprised and I gave him a small lopsided smile and wave. "That's me."

"But...how...when?"

"We are enjoying the Springtime of our Youth! Celebrating our mutual love!"

I deadpanned and looked at Gai. "Please, for the love of god, do not describe it like that...especially to my uncle? He will kill you." I was missing something here. "Love?"

He grinned, but before he could reply, Genma interrupted. "Uncle?"

I was still looking at Gai with narrowed eyes before I turned back to Genma. "Yea. My uncle. Nara Shikaku? Pretty sure that he'd plot Gai's untimely demise for that phrasing, and I'd prefer him intact."

"Wait...your Shikaku's niece? The genin one?"

I shrugged. "I guess? I don't think he has another."

"I heard you were crazy...I mean, I suppose you have to be to put up with Gai...but actually crazy? You don't seem crazy."

"Who has been saying such Unyouthful things about Erena?!" Oh, hi protective Gai.

Genma shrugged. "Her ex, I think? Something about holding him at knife point in a bar. That's the gossip anyway."

I scoffed. "Ex? He wishes. But otherwise, yes. The rest sounds accurate." I shrugged.

"You make a habit of threatening people frequently?"

I nodded happily. "At least everyday."

Gai sighed. "Erena, we have talked about this. That is not how you make friends."

"It's my friends I threaten the most."

"I think I understand this relationship a little bit more now," Genma said, looking like he'd had an epiphany.

We talked for a little bit longer, and Gai made me the smoothie he promised (which wasn't bad, but had too many vegetables in it), when the door went again. Gai seemed confused at the further addition, but went to get it.

"My rival! What are you doing here?! How wonderful for you to visit!"

Kakashi lazily waved and entered the room, he walked over to the sofa, and I had to quickly move my legs before he sat on them. I grabbed one of Gai's coasters and threw it at him, which he caught easily and set it back down on the table.

Genma laughed. "You should be careful, that's Hatake Kakashi - not many people threaten him and get away with it."

"Oh, are we finally giving Erena a lesson on manners?" Kakashi drawled. I went to kick him.

"I'll take no insult about my manners from someone who spends half their time in public with their nose in porn." Kakashi had gotten ridiculous lately - since he realised people would avoid him if he openly read porn in public, he seemed to do it all the time.

Kakashi only shrugged.

"So, Kakashi! What do I owe for this visit? Did we have some engagement I have forgotten too?"

"Mah, unfortunately not a social visit. I've come to get your girlfriend."

Gai grinned when Kakashi mentioned my new title. "Yosh! It is most enjoyable to have people know! Now everyone will know of our passion!"

"Again, Gai! Tone down those descriptive words...I've got a reputation to maintain, you know?" I panicked.

"What, as a heartless, sarcastic, manipulative harpy?" Kakashi said.

"Exactly!" That was exactly what I was going for.

"But Erena! You are Youthful, kind and selfless! You should let others see that side of you!" Gai came over to me and hugged me.

"Do we know the same Erena?" Kakashi questioned. "Anyway, I've got a mission and need your expertise. I've got permission to steal you back."

I panicked internally. "But I'm dying. Hungover. My brain is mush and I don't want to."

"I must also protest, Erena is not mission capable," Gai agreed.

"See if Gai says it, it must be true. He'd never lie about doing your duty." Gai preened with the compliment.

Kakashi sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. And there's timing issues, so we can't wait."

Genma had been silent for most of the exchange, but decided to interrupt. "Wait...why are you taking a genin desk ninja on a mission?" He seemed very confused.

Gai laughed. "Erena is as close to a genin desk ninja as I am!"

"I mean, technically I am sometimes?"

Genma made a funny face then seemed to have a revelation. "Oh! Now your relationship makes even more sense."

"Their relationship will never make sense," Kakashi grumbled. I kicked him again. "Now, hurry up, we need to leave in an hour."

I slowly got up from the sofa and headed back to Gai's room to change back into my clothes from the night before. Maybe I should start to leave some spares here?

After I finished, I went back to Gai, kissed him before leaving. "Catch you later, love you!"

"Yosh! And I love you, too!" We both grinned when we heard Kakashi groan.

The mission wasn't even a particularly difficult one, and they would have managed without me. A genin team and their sensei were being held captive by some idiotic terrorist group near the land of Waterfall. They needed someone to either infiltrate or get in and out without detection - while the group was pretty basic, they were threatening to kill the genin if there was any interference, and what's was a firm no from everyone involved.

Obito had said he could manage, but Kakashi had put his foot down. There was a little bit of tension between the two because of it, but Obito accepted without too much argument.

Not feeling fit enough to pull off a successful infiltration (I probably could have, but it wouldn't have been perfect and I would not tolerate anything less), I opted for a Time Bubble. I didn't fully explain the concept to the team (Kakashi already knew, so didn't ask too much), only that I had a super secret technique and that they needed to look away.

"How come she gets to use her fancy techniques but I don't?" Obito complained.

"Enough. I said no."

Once everyone was standing guard, and no eyes on me, I brought out my scroll and unlocked it - for my personal seals, I had developed a fail safe that is anyone but me opened them, they would combust. Secrets are secrets for a reason, you know?"

I changed the diameter of the Bubble to include the camp, then activated it.

Once everyone was frozen, I simply walked into the camp, grabbed the prisoners and hauled them back. It took three trips (the sensei was heavy), but once they were safely away I disengaged the chakra in the scroll.

"Okay, lets go home. I'm hungry."

They turned around and gaped (well, I think they did, as they had masks on). "Well, that's efficient," Bear said.

"That's my middle name," I replied.

After the others were checked off injuries, we hightailed it back to Konoha. Now the others were extracted, another team would be sent to deal with the terrorists.

"Let me guess, assassination squad?" I asked. "Why couldn't they just let me capture them?"

"That's not your call, Hibari," Dog replied.

I hated times like this - it was well known I only utilised non lethal methods, and wouldn't work with assassination missions, so those in command would often work around it by sending out a second team once I did my job.

They wanted my skills, but not my morals. It was disheartening at times. It made me feel like everything I was doing was pointless, and that the shinobi way of life couldn't change, but that didn't mean I still wouldn't stop trying.

Once back in Konoha, dropped by Gai's to let him know I was in one piece. He grabbed me in, showering me with affection, before trying to talk about the events from a few days ago.

"At first I thought I had heard wrong, and that you were still inebriated!" He said.

"Well, of course I meant it? I don't say things I don't mean."

"I know! But I will admit, I did not think you would be the first to make the Youthful declaration!"

I shrugged. "It's just words? I thought you already knew. Like, I knew you loved me."

"But to hear it is amazing! So cool!"

I laughed. "Well, fine. I'll make sure I voice my feelings more often. Now, I love you," he grinned, "but I really need to go home, shower and change."

He let go of me for a second and seemed to think. "I have an idea! You should just move in with me!"

I blinked. "Whoa. Slow down a minute, come again?"

"It is logical! We are in a relationship, we Love each other, and you are here often enough. And you were thinking of getting your own apartment anyway! We are Shinobi, so we should enjoy what times together we can."

Huh. I mean...I just wanted to bring in some spare clothes.

I guess it made sense? Shinobi did tend to move fast in relationships - something about dangerous missions and living one day at a time. I had never had much stock in it, but clearly Gai did. His logic was sound...I had been looking at apartments and was going to tell Shikaku and Yoshino once I saw one I was going for, but this made sense?

"But you live on the top floor."

He laughed. "Yosh, if that is your only argument then you have already decided!" He grinned.

"But it's the top floor."

"When my lease is over, we will search for another. Would this please you?"

"It's acceptable, I guess." I sighed. "Guess I'll go chat with Shikaku and Yoshino then, huh?"

Gai jumped up and punched the air.

What was I letting myself in for?

"Yoshino, pay up," Shikaku said, holding his hand out to his wife. She sighed and deposited a bill in.

"Wait, what?"

I had just told them about my relationship with Gai, and that he asked me to move in.

"We placed a bet years ago. I said you'd end up together, Yoshino told me I was mad...you moving in is faster than I expected, but you've never been patient," he shrugged.

I'm not gonna lie, I kind of expect him to take it worse than this. He was over protective, and expected him to give anyone I met the third degree. The casual acceptance surprised me more than a little.

"You mean you approve?"

He looked at me, and Yoshino smiled. "You forget I know Maito Gai, not just professionally but through Chouza - he's a good man. Eccentric, but it kind of works - he's your polar opposite in nearly every way. If you makes you happy, then who am I to question it? Then if we take into account the help he gave you in the past with your injuries, he's already shown he's dedicated to you. For someone who prides themselves on reading people, you should have read him better years ago."

"Huh."

"And I just won a bet with Yoshino for the first time in years! So of course I approve!"

Yoshino hit him on the arm. "And it'll be years before it happens again!"

Once everything was sorted, I started to pack up my room over the next few days. I didn't have much outside of clothes and books - when in ROOT, we didn't have any personal belongings, so I didn't really make any attachments to things, even now. I had a few gifts I had received over the years, but nothing much else.

Surprisingly, it was Shikamaru that took by moving out badly. Whenever I was out, he would unpack my boxes so I'd have to start again, and would hide and watch while I packed. It was so cute I couldn't get mad, even if I ended up packing one box about five times.

"Shikamaru...can you please stop doing that? I'll just pack it again." I caught him red handed - I only went to get a drink from the kitchen and found him unloading my books.

"But I don't want you to go!" He cried. Oh dear, I could not handle upset Shika.

I walked over and sat on the bed, grabbing him to sit on my lap. "It was always going to happen, it's what happens when you grow up. And I'm not leaving you - I'll still be coming over for dinner and annoying you! As if I would stop that! It's one of my favourite things." I tickled him any he giggled. "And you'll probably love having me gone - you'll have your parents all to yourself, and I bet if you asked your mother, she'd let you swap rooms...I know you think my room is quieter and better for napping- I've caught you in here enough times."

A thinking look went over his face. "It is better..."

"See...all you need is a bit of gentle persuasion. It's not all bad!"

"I'd still rather you stay here, though."

"I know, but life sucks sometimes. You'll get over it." I hugged him tightly, and he returned. It was rare that we had sweet moments - mainly because Shikamaru was a little shit and I stooped down to him level every time, but it was nice when we could. We definitely had the full sibling dynamic. Which was mainly annoying the shit out of each other.

And so to end our moment, I leaned over and licked his cheek.

"Ew! Why do you keep doing that! I take it back! I can't wait for you to go!"

I chuckled and continued packing as he stormed out.

I had finished boxing everything up and looked at my belongings...it was quite sad to think that my life could fit into four boxes (half of which were books and scrolls). That being said, at least it made for an easy move, and wouldn't likely cause a problem with fitting everything into Gai's apartment.

I was about to start hauling them to the hall, when I heard a knock on the door. I was the only one in, so went to get it.

"Oh hey, Fugaku. Watcha doing here?" I was surprised, as Fugaku had never made a house call before. He always made me come to him - even if he wanted to see me, he would send word by Itachi, Sasuke or another Uchiha. It was probably a small play of him trying to assert some power over me...if thats what it took to keep his fragile masculine ego happy, I was happy to oblige.

"Erena. We must talk."

"Sure, come on in," I gestured to the house. He nodded stiffly before entering. He went to the sitting room and I activated the privacy seal - although the house was empty, sometimes even our walls have ears. "What's going on?" He seemed stressed about something.

"It is about Itachi."

I stiffened. "Is he okay?" If he was hurt, there would be hell to pay for whoever did it.

"Yes, at the moment. But..." he sighed. "Since the attack on Sasuke, and he learned of Orochimaru's plans, he has become obsessed with ensuring Sasuke's safety. The Hokage has caught wind of it and is about to offer him a mission that will...destroy him."

"What do you mean?" I frowned. "How did you find out?"

"The Hokage has been keeping information from you and the Task Force. It is suspected that Orochimaru has joined the same organisation Obito was once a part of," I stilled. What?! "I had a meeting with the Hokage today - out of courtesy, for my position and knowledge, he wanted to make me aware of his plans...He wants to place someone as a spy within the organisation, and Itachi is his prime candidate." He looked pained.

"What are you talking about? Itachi is no spy! He'd never last a second undercover. If he didn't get himself killed, it would destroy him."

"That is also my conclusion," he said. "But nonetheless, he will take it. If it means he can watch Orochimaru, and protect Sasuke, he will do it."

"Unacceptable. What did you tell the Hokage?"

"I expressed my true sentiments." That's Fugaku talk for 'I lost my shit.' "But unfortunately his mind is made up, and his decision is final. Itachi could refuse, but I know he will not."

"And so you came to me to fix it?"

"Erena...you have already done so much for my family and my clan, but I need you to make sure Itachi does not do this. He cannot...I have never asked you before, but please help me."

Shit.

I thought about the options. There were many paths to go down , but only one that was guarantee'd to stop Itachi from doing this.

"Do you know what you are asking?" I whispered. I came to the conclusion far too quick to know he had not thought of it.

"Yes."

I felt like crying. After everything, I finally felt whole. Like a person. I had things to look forward to, a future...but it was only ever an illusion. No matter what, I would only ever be a tool to them.

I swallowed and nodded to Fugaku. "I'll deal with it...I have a lot of things to do. I'd appreciate it if you leave."

To say he looked devastated was an understatement. It made the lines on his face look really funny. I would have made fun of him if I could.

"Thank you Erena. I am sorry...please believe me."

"There is nothing to apologise for, Fugaku. Just make sure he's kept safe."

"I will."

After he left, I went straight to Gai's, but left my boxes where they were. Gai had given me a key, so I didn't need to knock on the door anymore.

"Hello! Anybody home?" I called out.

"Erena! I was not expect you until later! What a unexpected and pleasant surprise!" He had a towel around his waist and a shower cap on - I'm guessing he was just about to go in. I started laughing.

"Gai, you look absolutely ridiculous! What's with the cap?"

He winked and gave me a thumbs up. "I must not mess up my hair!"

"Wet hair? What a catastrophe." I rolled my eyes at him. Since spending more time at his, I realised he doesn't just take pride in his training and skills, but pretty much everything. And then included self grooming...the guy spent more time doing his hair than I did.

"Indeed! Now, what do I owe this visit? Could you not bear to be without me?!" He grinned again.

My insides clenched and my heart dropped. "You have no idea."

His smile dropped and brown furrowed. "What is wrong? You have the look on your face of thinking too much. It's most Unyouthful!"

"Thinking is Unyouthful?" I asked, perplexed.

"Only when you have that look! Now, what is the matter? We can put our minds to the task and solve it together!"

I sat on the sofa, and the shower-cap wearing Gai sat next to me. I immediately snuggled into his side.

"If you knew a friend was about to make a stupid decision, even for the right reasons, and you had the power to stop them, what would you do?" I asked.

He placed an arm around me. "What do you mean?"

"Say if I knew a friend was about to take a mission that would get them killed, but I could stop it...even if it would make my life a little difficult...should I do it?"

"Will you get hurt?" He asked.

"I don't think so. The likelihood of me getting hurt is a lot less than them getting killed."

He sighed. "Did you know I tried to join ANBU once?"

I frowned to look up at him. "That seems unlikely."

"Yes, but it is true! I saw a friend in a bad place, and I sought to protect them. Unfortunately, my Youthful nature is not compatible with ANBU, and I was rejected. Yet I kept trying! I would not give up on my friend...in the end, I realised the decision was correct, but I do not regret it. Sometimes you need to be there for your friends, even if they do not appreciate it."

"And what happened to the friend?"

"Something changed in his Team. A little bird flew in to pause the darkness."

I snorted. "You know you're not meant to know who are behind ANBU masks are, right? And definitely not know team configurations?"

"Erena, I've been watching you for a long time. I know you."

I took a big breath. "I don't deserve you, you know that?"

"Of course you do! And don't doubt yourself! Your confidence is one of the things I love about you! I don't deserve such a Wonderful, Loyal and Bright girlfriend, but I still have you."

"Yes, you do. And you always will."

After seeing Gai, I went to the Hokage Tower. I didn't have an appointment, but I didn't give a shit. And if my suspicions were correct, Hiruzen would be expecting me.

I walked upstairs and passed the secretary's desk. Her eyes widened, but didn't try and stop me from entering. I activated my privacy seal once I entered - I knew there would be guards present, and I didn't want them listening in.

"You are an asshole of epic proportions, you know that? Don't you?" I growled as I sat down in front of him.

"Hello, Erena, please come in," he replied sarcastically.

"Please explain what you are playing at? And don't act coy. I'm not buying it."

"Fugaku works fast, I see. I didn't expect him to go to you directly," he said nonchalantly.

"He's a smart enough a man to know when to look for help...but sadly not smart enough to see through your bullshit."

"And what, pray tell, are you accusing me of doing?"

"Using Itachi against me. Threatening to send him deep undercover on a mission that will destroy him. And all to get my attention? And people say I'm manipulative."

There was no reason for him to tell Fugaku of his plans, other than expecting it to get back to me.

"If I had come to you directly you would have declined," he said, confirming my suspicions. "And then I would have sent Itachi...this way, I get my first choice and keep one of my most capable and gifted ninja in the village."

"You seriously would have sent him? You are a heartless prick."

"No, I am a leader. And one that knows how to use his tools to their full potential."

"All I've done is leave one sadistic dictator for another...you are no different than Danzo. You just wrap yourself in a nicer package," I snarled.

He banged on the table, standing up, face turning to fury. "And you are nothing but a child. You have never grown up, yet think you know better than everyone else. You think this is all a game!" He took a breath and sat back down. "You have no respect for me or my orders, and so I must resort to the same manipulations as you. I will do everything to protect the village, even if that means exploiting you and your skills. You forget, I spoke to Danzo before his execution - he warned me about you. He said I would suffer the same fate as him and not to trust you."

"And you listened?"

"I listened. And I am not willing to wait and find out what you have in store for me. So the options are: Go to the Ataksuki and act as our spy, or I send Itachi and you will watch your plans fall apart."

I had to centre myself and stare at the floor. The instinct to beat him to a bloody pulp was hard to control.

Eventually I lifted my gaze and met him in the eye.

"Okay, but we do this my way."

After the meeting, I met Shisui and the rest of the combat part of the Missing Nin task force. There was going to be a raid on a small town at the edge of Fire Country, where they presumed Misumi Tsurugi was hiding. Looking at the data, I was inclined to agree.

Normally, I didn't accompany them on these type of missions - they had it handled - but the Hokage had given ordered to them to take me along to see if I could find any clues on Orochimaru...Or at least, that was the official story.

"Why did you need to come? It's totally unnecessary," Shisui said, annoyed by the decision. "We have eyes, you know. Some better than others." He tapped his own, in reference to the Sharingan.

"Not my choice, either." I complained. "You know I'm meant to be moving in with my boyfriend tonight? This was not on the agenda."

"Again with your imaginary boyfriend..." he rolled his eyes. He still didn't believe I had one.

"No, seriously! Come on, I'll even tell you who it is?" I teased in a singsong voice.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Go on."

"Maito Gai," I grinned.

He burst into hysterics. "Nice try, Erena. That was a good one!"

I shrugged. "Don't say I didn't tell you." He snorted.

We reached the town and were ordered to stay quiet. "Everyone with me, follow my lead. Erena, you stay here - I'll signal when it's safe to enter."

I saluted. "You got it, Captain!"

He narrowed his eye's at me in suspicion, but nodded and left.

Once they entered, I removed the smile from my face. I pulled some hair out and scattered it, broke some branched and left haphazard foot marks on the ground. Then I grabbed my kunai and sliced my hand to leave a blood trail.

I sighed, then longingly looked back at the town where Shisui had gone. I took a deep breath, activated my Chameleon tag then disappeared.

Interlude

"Okay, Erena. We've got the bastard. You're up!" Shisui called from the sidelines. He moved to where she should be but found no one. "Erena?"

He looked around, but didn't see any sign of her until he noticed something strange a few meters away. There were several flecks of fresh blood, and a smear on the side of a tree. He found some long black hair that looked as though it had been pulled from the root.

"What the fuck happened here? ERENA?"

He started flitting around, but couldn't find any further trail or sign of her. The rest of the team returned with the prisoner.

"I need two of you to take him back immediately, and send a search team - Erena is missing and there is evidence of a fight. The rest will stay here with me and canvas the area until reinforcements arrive."

He ran his fingers through his hair and pulled. "Shit."