Training sessions with the Akatsuki were never fun. It was generally luck who you encountered, depending on who was on mission. I usually kept to general solo workouts and katas, to try and keep my muscle mass up, but sometimes sparring was on the cards.

Avoiding the zombie duo was generally recommended. I had one session with Hidan, and while I escaped intact, I required a healer - except the Akatsuki generally didn't do healers, as you were supposed to be strong enough not to need one. My self-healing skills could only go so far, but I was still alive-even if I did still have the scars.

Zetsu was similar to myself, in that he didn't really train too often. He worked as a spy, in a different way than me, but with his methods he never encountered people unless he wanted to. He was also a creepy looking bastard and made me shiver, so I stayed away as much as I could.

The while the "artful" duo were tolerable, as far as the members went, fighting them would be near suicide for me. Thankfully Sasori had little interest in sparring with me - but he was helpful with developing my poison gases so he wasn't all bad. Deidara was a terrible flirt, and seemed to think that sparing with me was just an extension of that. And since he thought explosions were so impressive, that meant lots of things getting blown up. Now, I could move fast, but there's just something about shockwaves snapping your ribs that leaves an impression, you know?

Despite my dislike for sparring sessions, I still turned up to watch- if only to get up to date knowledge on their skills and fighting styles. I was thorough in my reports, and that would never change.

Today I was watching Deidara go against Kisame, and it was a fun match. They hated each other with a passion, so a friendly spar it was not. Due to Deidaras techniques, they removed themselves to an area far into the distance of the base- they learned this the hard way.

Deidara was on his big clay bird (chakra or not, there's no way that thing should have flown - it defied the laws of physics), circling Kisame. Based on Kisames posture, he was about to release some kind of big water jutsu - he was easy to read.

Out of the corner of my vision, I saw movement at the edge of their arena - there was a rustle as some rocks slid down the side of the embankment, and you could see flashes of a person stumbling away from the edge. Both Kisame and Deidara also saw it, but Deidara was the one who decided to act.

"Art is an explosion!"

"Deidara, no!" I tried to shout, but it was no use. He sent a bomb to the area, creating a small crater.

It turned out a curious child wanted to see what all the noise was about. He never made it home.

It was a nice day for once, and the skies were clear. I sat on the edge of my balcony and looked out to the town below. I heard a faint knock at the door.

"Come in," I called, already knowing who it would be.

Konan came in, and walked to the balcony door. "You know, you don't have to hide away like this every time you are home."

"Yea, maybe not, but I don't have must interest in discussing beheading and disembowling," I muttered and had a drink.

"The boys can be a bit brash sometimes, that's true," she replied. I offered her the sake bottle but she declined.

"That's the understatement of the year. How they haven't killed each other yet, I don't know."

"They know how important the mission is...although it was a problem with Hidan for a while." I snorted.

"And that's the understatement of the decade...Do you ever think that the mission is right, that we're on the right path?"

She came forward and leaned on the balcony railing. "You've only been with a short time, but I think of you more fondly than the others. Believe me when I say that I trust Pein with our dreams. We've tried in so many ways, but he has the power to do this. Don't lose faith."

"It's difficult to have faith in someone else when you don't even have it in yourself," I muttered.

"Come now," she said softly, pulling me back from my perch. "You should not doubt yourself. Your intellect, skills and your compassion make you necessary to the world. You keep us in check - look at Hoshigaki."

"It's not just that...have you ever been in love?"

Her eyes widened. "Once."

"So have I...years ago I left them and betrayed them...I keep wondering if I did the right thing."

She softened slightly. "Did you betray them out of malice or kindness?"

"What should that matter?"

"It matters. Did you hurt them for the sake of hurting them or selfishness, or to save them from something?"

"I...suppose it was the latter?"

"Then do not worry. You know in your heart you did the right thing. Now come on, I have a mission for you. Hopefully a fun one."

"Ohhhh...do tell?"

"How would you like to finally use those disguise tags on Kisame?"

"I get to dress up the Big Fish? Yes!"

To say Kisame was grumpy was an understatement. He was livid.

I was enjoying it so much.

We were sent to Fire on a small excursion. There was some kind of local festival going on, and Konan wanted information on a diplomat travelling into the area. I felt nervous venturing into Fire so soon after the interaction with Gai's genin, but I couldn't resist the chance to wind up Kisame...plus I'd have my own disguise on, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Ever since I perfected the Appearance Modifiers, I was just waiting for a chance to use them on him. They were different from a Henge, which was only an illusion...this morphed your appearance externally - changed the colour and appearance of skin, hair and even shape of your eyes, nose...whatever I programmed into the seal. I couldn't manipulate height, but what wasn't a huge problem (even for one as short as me).

And the extra fun fact? It couldn't be detected by Sharingan or the Byukagan. Because it physically changed things, it was undetectable.

"I don't understand why I need to be here," he grumbled.

"Oh, be quiet big brother," I teased. "We need access to the male baths. And Konan thinks I'm too delicate to be exposed to such depravity."

"You? Delicate?"

"I know, right?"

He snorted. "Let's get this over and done with. It's making me feel itchy." He shuddered dramatically.

"You big liar, it does not."

We entered the village easily and made our way to our lodgings, which were already secured. We were posing as brother and sister, visiting for the festival. We had similar features - brown eyes, hair, the same nose and eye shape - despite our height differences. I tried to give Kisame direction in playing a role, but he was having none of it. I just told him to at least make sure he got our names right or I would make him pay.

Keeping up with appearances, we wandered around the village. Despite Kisame being a grump, he seemed to actually enjoy himself - he would claim he was acting but he wasn't that good. We settled into a restaurant to get dinner. I activated a privacy seal so we could speak freely.

"You got anything yet?"

I hummed, eating my noodles. "Not yet. And from the description he should be fairly noticeable. We'll do the same tomorrow - and if still no luck I'll give you a script for what to ask in the baths."

He snorted in agreement. A waitress came over to refill our drinks, so I lowered the privacy seal. "Oh, more sake please! Thank you!" Kisame rolled his eyes but accepted some too. "Oh, cheer up! It's a festival!"

"With that logic every day is a festival for you." I threw my napkin at him.

We finished our meal in reasonably good spirits, then left towards the hotel. As I turned out the the restaurant, I bumped into someone - with red eyes.

I blinked, then started muttering apologies - like a nice little civilian would do. At first I didn't even look to see who it was, but as I continued my stream of niceties, I recognised Uchiha Shisui, with his sharingan activated?

"Hey, it's okay! Just as much my fault as yours! I really should have been paying attention," he replied, smiling.

"Oh, I am sorry, Shinobi-san! I'll make sure I'm more careful!"

He chuckled. "No worries at all. Enjoy the festival!" I bowed as he smiled, and waited until he walked past. Kisame was watching the exchange with raised eyebrows.

"You're an embarrassment, you know that?" He muttered.

I forced my cheeks to flush with red, and grabbed his hand almost running away in humiliation. When we were around the corner, I activated my privacy seal again. "Shit. We're going to have to be careful. Or call this off."

"What do you mean? One little Uchiha isn't going to ruin this mission."

"It could when they could blow our cover."

"What happened to the best infiltration specialist in the world?"

"The best infiltration specialist who is now needing to work with her former best friend hanging around, who also happens to be aware of most of her tricks. That Sharingan activation is not a fashion choice. He's looking for something."

"Well, you sort yourself out. I'm going to bed."

"Kisame! This is serious."

"So is my beauty sleep." And he stalked off. I swore.

I searched in my bag, and found further Appearance Modifier seals I had prepared. I had two options - a young teenage girl or a red headed female. At this time in the evening, a teenage girl alone would raise suspicions, so I opted for the redhead and switched tags - if i wanted more information, I couldn't do so under the same disguise. I also removed and changed clothing and bags from a storage seal I kept handy.

I reversed back to where we came and looked around. Shisui was gone, but I didn't think he would have gone far. I didn't know what he was there for, but he was clearly not in any type of hurry.

I spotted a quiet looking cafe-bar area down a side street and decided to check there first - unless he was following someone, he wouldn't likely go anywhere too heavily populated.

By a stroke of luck, I saw a flash of his curly hair through the window and headed inside. I went to the bar area to sit. When I saw his group, I panicked even more. Not only was Shisui there, but also Itachi, Kakashi and Gai.

Fuck. I had really fucked up.

There was absolutely no reason for them to be on mission together. It was like sending in a nuclear bomb to kill a rat. Unless you wanted a country burned to the ground, this was overkill and a half.

I ordered a strong drink, then activated the listening aid in my earrings - another fun toy that could pick up sound over a moderate distance, and delivered the noise straight to a seal on the inside of my ear (THAT was interesting to place, let me tell you).

"-not. I mean, it was strange that we couldn't hear them until they ordered, but there was no sign of a Henge or Genjutsu of any kind. It couldn't have been her usual tricks- the features were totally different."

"You're sure?" Itachi asked.

"I'm sure. It wasn't her."

Phew. Round one to the Appearance Modifiers.

"We're out of idea's now. It's been nearly a week. If we don't head back, we'll arouse suspicion - If we haven't already," Kakashi said.

"Agreed, " said Itachi. "I'm sorry, it looks like another dead end."

I heard Gai sigh. "But why would she make such a Youthful appearance then disappear again?"

No one said anything. Aw shit. Now I felt really bad. I was already feeling guilty about my sudden reappearance, but it couldn't be helped.

"Well, this has been a monumental waste of time. We set up those rumours about the diplomat for nothing," I heard Shisui say. Say what now? "Screw this, I'm getting wasted. Who is with me?" He was hit by silence. "Screw all of you. I can make my own fun." And he got up to head to the bar. "Yo! Can I get some sake?" He said to the barman, and waited.

He turned to me then grinned. "Hello, been here long?"

Oh god, why did I pick the redhead? I should have gone with the teenager. I swallowed a bit of vomit in preparation for the horrible display I was about to be witness to.

"Hi there!" I smiled demurely. "No, not too long. I'm just waiting on some friends to find me." There was a double meaning there, but he would never get it.

"Oh I see, well do you mind if I keep you company until they get here?"

I giggled. "Only if you want to? But it's okay, I have my own drink!" I picked up the glass to show him.

"Oh, what's that? It doesn't look like sake." He said, examining the contents.

"Oh no, its whisky! It's a favourite from Grass country - have you never had it?"

"Can't say I have." He gave me a lopsided grin. Oh, he was definitely flirting now.

"Try it, I don't mind!"

Now this was a test of a ninja - only idiots took drinks from people they don't know. Bar people were generally the exception - because the moment you tried something with a shinobi, you wouldn't live to tell the tale.

"I'll just get my own - you say its good?"

"It's a bit of an acquired taste, but pretty good!"

"That settles it! Yo, can I get one of these as well? Thanks!" The barman nodded in response, and promptly delivered the drink.

Without thinking, he took the glass and took a drink - as you would with sake. His face contorted as he swallowed then coughed. "What the hell was that?!"

I giggled. "I should have warned you it was a bit strong! I'm so sorry!"

"How can you drink that? It's like paint stripper!"

As Shisui was mourning his tastebuds, Hatake came over. "Shisui, we're leaving." It was clear he wanted him to follow.

"That's nice." Shisui rolled his eyes. "I'm staying until this lovely lady's friends come. I couldn't possibly leave her alone."

"Oh, that's so sweet!" I replied and smiled sweetly at time. I hated myself right now.

"Fine, we'll see you tomorrow." Hatake said gruffly, and didn't even spare me a glance. Fuck you, too.

I kept my gaze on Shisui, and watched the rest leave out of the corner of my eye. They all seemed healthy enough, even if a little down. At least Itachi was intact, and not in my place. Gai's expression was the worst- I hardly ever seen him without a smile before but there was no trace of one here.

"So, where were we?" Shisui grinned.

The next hour was spent drinking and flirting. It was exhausting. Shisui was relentless with his compliments and touching- how did anyone fall for his act? It was borderline creepy. I wanted to stab his wandering hands with kunai so many times...

"Say, why don't we take this back to my hotel room?"

"Oh no, I couldn't!" I tried to act shocked and innocent.

"Are you sure? I'm only here for one more night, and I would love to get to know you even better."

This was where I crossed the line. As far as subterfuge went, I never crossed the line of full physical intimacy. Never have, never will. I could cope with a bit of groping, or even a kiss, but he was barking up the wrong tree.

And I had enough of this act for the night.

"No, thank you though. I think I really should be heading off."

"At least let me walk you home?"

I sighed internally. "Sure, that could be nice."

We walked down the street in relative silence. I came to a random hotel, and stopped outside of it.

"This is me. Thank you for the evening. It was nice."

"No, thank you," he said, then leaned in to kiss me.

Before it landed, I punched him on the mouth on reflex. I felt a couple of my joints break, but it was worth it.

"You stupid fuck! I mean, really Shisui? If a girl says no, she means no. You fucking arrogant bastard!"

"What the-" Despite being drunk, his brain must have still been processing. "Erena?" He hissed, and he activated his Sharingan.

"Surprise, motherfucker."

"But how? What are you doing here? What happened?" He sounded pleading. "We've been looking for you."

"Obviously. And you found me. Now leave me the fuck alone!"

"Erena?" I heard a voice behind me. Great. Now Hatake had joined the conversation. To have turned up this quickly, he had likely been watching since he 'left' the bar. What gave me away?

"Fuck this. I'm leaving." I went to turn around but felt a hand grasp my arm. "Shisui, drop it."

"No, you're coming back with us," he said sternly, but I could hear the slur in his voice. He wasn't completely in control, and I could use that. His grip was tight, and I knew we wouldn't let go easily. So I pulled.

As expected, my arm cracked, as well as my shoulder. The sound was audible, and he must have felt the sensation in his hand as he immediately let go and looked at me horrified.

"What was that?!"

"Goodnight, gentlemen." I said, and activated a short range poison gas tag. It was fast acting and clear, and just enough to knock them out for half an hour, so they couldn't pursue me. They'd never normally fall for it, but I had the element of surprise.

They both gave me confused looks before it took effect and they dropped down. It wasn't that elegant, but I didn't didn't have the chakra control for my time seals - I'm not stupid enough to drink and drive.

As soon as I was happy they were still breathing, I legged it back to my hotel. I was holding my breath, but let it out as soon as I was out of range.

Kisame must have detected me arriving, and my fluster, as he was up and awake as soon as I made it there.

"We're leaving. Now."

Interlude

Itachi was staring at Kakashi and Shisui like they had and extra head.

Because that would have made more sense than how idiotic they had been.

Erena had been there all along, and had been talking for Shisui for hours, and he didn't even know. Itachi couldn't have blamed Shisui too much, Erena was always good and it sounded like she had improved further, but he knew that Shisui blamed himself for letting her go, again.

"Tell me exactly what she said," Itachi commanded, and Shisui replayed the whole interaction until Itachi interrupted.

"Stop. 'Waiting for some friends to find her?' That was her exact phrasing?"

"Yes...I'm...fuck...she meant us, didn't she?"

Itachi nodded. "Erena was always very careful with what she said. It's an odd phrasing, otherwise."

"But if that's true, why did she run? We had her and could have taken her back."

"There's more to this than what we think." Kakashi said. "We always assumed she was captured...but what if she left by choice?"

Shisui started to protest, but Itachi had another thought. "Gai...the day she left...she told you she was going to stop a friend from taking a mission that would get them killed, correct?"

Gai nodded silently.

"We presumed that she was talking about the mission before her disappearance, that she knew something Shisui didn't...what if there was more than that?"

"But what? Her friendship pool was fairly limited to the people in this room," Kakashi said.

"Exactly. Now, we can rule out Shisui, if we presume our last hypothesis was incorrect. And also Gai - you ran in very different circles. The chances of you being on the same mission would be slim."

"Despite your excellent deduction, that is not entirely correct! Erena and I have been on missions together!"

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "How? When?"

"We were placed in Mist together...it was the start of my blossoming attachment to her!"

"Wait, Mist? But...that was you? How?" Shisui basically screeched.

"I'm missing something here," Kakashi said.

Itachi pinched his nose. "It was an S-Rank mission in Mist. Shisui and I were called as backup for Erena and her partner, who were undercover as Mist-nin...we presumed he was a member of her Infiltration Corps."

"Gai went undercover? I have to see this."

"Very successfully, too," Itachi admitted. "I had no idea."

"Erena gave me basic training...no one was to know except the Hokage."

"God...if that was basic training..." Shisui mumbled.

"Based on what you have seen tonight, she could be anyone. Be with anyone. This changes things," Itachi said. "But it still doesn't answer the why...I still don't think it's Gai, even despite your mission history...which leaves me and Kakashi."

"I wasn't taking solo missions anymore...nothing that Erena would be capable of, anyway."

"I'm inclined to agree. Which leaves me."

The room went silent.

"But what? You had just started your little politics game. Your missions were censored and decided by your father and the Hokage," Shisui said.

"And Erena. She had a horrible habit of commenting on missions she shouldn't know about."

"She really was an interfering busybody," Kakashi chuckled.

"And that's the problem. She always thinks she knows best...especially for others. She's never cared about herself."

"She truly is selfless," Gai said sadly. "But there are things that are concerning me...you mentioned her arm and shoulder broke when she pulled away?"

"And her knuckles were damaged when she punched Shisui. You could see it with how she was holding her hand," Kakashi added.

"Due to Danzo, she was left was many Unyouthful health concerns...she was on medications to stabilise them."

"I thought it was just the delayed puberty thing?" Shisui asked, going red. Itachi wanted to chuckle, as he knew exactly what he was thinking about.

"No, it was more serious than that...I am concerned her fragility is a side effect from not receiving appropriate treatment."

They went quiet again.

"If that is true...she didn't even react or exclaim when the injury happened," Kakashi said.

"Which would suggest it being an frequent occurrence," Itachi realised.

"She's going to get herself killed."