"That sounds like a real roundabout way of helping everyone." Hawaki stated. I couldn't help but sweatdrop at his blatant answer.

I mean, he's not wrong.

The three of us sat inside a small hut where Hawaki is currently maintaining residence. It took a while, but we were finally able to explain everything to him.

Everything.

Just explaining the situation gives me a headache. "Yeah. But it's what I chose to do. Besides, it's easier to do things away from the village." I shrugged uncaringly.

The only reason I'm allowed this much freedom is because I forced this plan upon Granny Tsunade. She didn't have time to yell at me, reject it, or even find someone else to do it. It just happened.

It also helps I'm her second favorite kid. Naruto remaining in first, I don't care what she says. He's everyone's favorite. Even Pervy Sage.

Huh? There's a tinge in my chest. I made a face.

Do I miss Pervy Sage and Grandma Tsunade? Ah, now that's just sad. That's a new low.

"So you want me to join your little rag tag group. Travel around looking for this guy. And then stop your boyfriend from killing him?" Well when he puts it like that . . . yeah, no. It sounds ridiculous anyway you put it honestly.

No sane person would join. Except for Haru, but he isn't really sane so he doesn't count. "Alright." I blinked before looking up at him.

"Huh?"

He shrugged and leaned back. "I don't have anything better to do. The Sound Village has been a mess since Orochimaru died. Travelling with you two seems like it'll be exciting. You guys look like the type to run into fights a lot."

My eye twitched. He's itching for a fight? No, not necessarily itching. But he does remind me of someone. I just can't quite put my finger on it.

"Not that I'm complaining anything, but why are you so willing to join two complete strangers?" Haru asked, looking at Hawaki oddly.

Hawaki looked over at Haru briefly before back at me. A smirk making its way onto his face again. "I like the look in crazy girls eyes."

Oookay. Well, I'm not gonna argue with this kid. "Alright, so it's decided. You'll go back with Haru and meet up with Sasuke and his group. They're still travelling to get Jugo. I'll go back to the Akatsuki hideout and continue getting information."

Hawaki frowned. "I said I'd join you. Not the traitor of the Leaf." To this Haru turned to me as well.

"Oh no. If I can't travel with you, neither can he." He pointed a finger at Hawaki who glared at him.

"What are you, five?" I blinked as the two glared at one another.

What?

"You guys do know you can't come with me to the Akatsuki. Especially after Sasori's death." The only member who has any bit of trust in me is Deidara and it's out of respect for Sasori who took me under his wing. Not counting the man child, the only other member I met tried to kill me upon seeing me.

I'm not going to risk their lives on this. Their only real danger should be Itachi and that's only because we'll have to stop Sasuke.

We shouldn't encounter any other Akatsuki member so they shouldn't die.

And I'd hate for them to run into Kakuzu.

"That's neither here nor there. I'm coming with you." Hawaki stated, eyes unwavering, almost challenging. "Then I'm coming too!" Haru added. My eye twitched.

What happened to him? He used to be so obedient. Teenage rebellion?

"No. That's final." I declared, hands on my hips. If these guys thought that I'd back down first they have another thing coming.

"But-!" I silenced them with a glare.

Haru avoiding my glare, but Hawaki seemed to challenge me. This brat. Well, he doesn't quite know me yet, he'll learn.

Wait. He doesn't know me quite yet, and I don't know him. If I leave him with them, Sasuke could drive him away. If I want to keep him by my side, I'll need to establish a connection.

Leaving isn't a good idea. Well, Deidara is going to be gone for a while. And I still need to check out the message. I'll stay with them for a bit.

We'll find the Blood Release users. Or look for Itachi. Depends on the message.

Sighing, I pulled out the letter and began to read it.

Go to the Land of Bears. In the east, in a run down area by a casam, lives a user. Search for a man named Kaname.

Not a very long note. Guess all Sasori's men cut to the chase. Well, that's all I needed. Land of Bears huh? That's going to be a long journey. A longer journey especially from the Leaf and the base Deidara is currently in.

Not to mention Sasuke.

I'd have to put off the search for Itachi even more. But . . . I need to get this under control. But I don't have the time to get this under control. What do I do?

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, before turning to the boys.

Both looking at me oddly. "Change of plans. We're going to be looking for Itachi on our own." A grin broke out across Hawaki's face while Haru stared at me a little longer. "Everything alright Miyu?" He asked, catching onto my mood.

I pursed my lips and tightened my grip on the message.

"Yeah. Deidara's not going to be back for a while and I don't want to waste my time waiting. Let's get going." I shoved the letter into my weapons pouch and turned.

The boys quickly caught up with me. Haru on my right, Hawaki on my left. Haru glanced at me again, but seemed to brush it off and looked forward. "So, any clue where he could be?" He asked.

I internally groaned. Not really. I don't have any solid leads. Sasori was very adamant about not telling me. Even in death . . . He could have just told me where he was.

The mission comes first. Then me. I-I can hold back the voice. And I can suppress these murderous urges. I'll be fine.

I'll be fine.

"Nope." I stated. The two nearly fell at that. "What?! Then what have you been doing with the Akatsuki?!" Hawaki asked incredulously.

I shot him a glare. "Gaining trust. It's not that easy, they're not pushovers. I got lucky with Orochimaru. I only succeeded because of Sasuke. And when I finally did they went and died on me." I grumbled the last part.

Of course I'm sad he's dead. But I'm also frustrated. If Naruto, Sakura, and them hadn't come along then my whole plan wouldn't have been so screwed up.

But I heard from Deidara that they managed to save Gaara. Which I'm actually a little grateful for.

We didn't really leave off on the best of terms. Last I saw him was when Naruto defeated him. But Shikamaru has been really good on keeping me updated. Apparently they've been redeeming themselves for the whole attack.

And Naruto liked him. I trust Naruto. So at least I'm glad that they managed to save Gaara. I'd hate for Naruto to lose a friend. I don't want him to experience the death of a friend.

I want him to have that ignorance for a little while longer.

~

"So Monkey. You any good with that sword?" Haru asked as we trekked the mountain terrain.

Hawaki smirked, jumping over a fallen tree. "Wanna find out Poochi?" He taunted playfully.

After travelling for a couple days they've gotten over the whole; 'you were Orochimaru's dog' and, 'you're an arrogant little prick' phase.

It also helps that everytime they fight, I smack the hell out of them each time.

But it didn't stop their endless nicknames for one another. Hawaki has settled on 'Poochi', and 'mutt'. Haru didn't have any specific thing to pick from however.

He's still testing out some. 'Monkey' is his current favor on the account that Hawaki can climb faster than even me.

Hawaki of course argued that 'Monkey', is meant for idiots, and that he isn't one. But he prefers it over 'Troll' because he is good looking, but the nickname implies he's ugly which gets him all fired up.

Then upon trying it out on Haru, his anger also flared up because he's also good looking.

They're both complete idiot's though.

I can't tell if they're on bad terms or good. In the beginning the hostility was on high, but in a few days it's gone down considerably. They're kind of friendly.

Kinda.

I rolled my eyes. "Less chatting, more climbing." I stated, jumping over a large slope in front of us.

"Aye, aye, captain." Haru mocked from behind, jumping over as well. "Whatever you say, Crazy Girl." Hawaki added, amusement clear in his voice.

My temple throbbed. "What is with you guys and nicknames?" I asked, glancing back at the idiots.

Haru shrugged. "Retaliation. I will find a nickname that bothers him other then Troll." He stated.

Hawaki just grinned. "Ain't gonna happen Poochi. But call me Troll again Crazy Girl's gonna have a dead mutt on her hands." He warned.

I shot the two a look. "Enough. God you two are insufferable." I grumbled, continuing on my way.

"What's got her so cranky?" Hawaki whispered loudly to Haru. "Can't really blame her. This is the only lead we have on Itachi." Haru whispered back, but quieter.

He said 'lead' to make me feel better. Haru can tell I'm anxious and wants to ease my mind. It's not really a lead, so much as a vague idea.

Even that's pushing it.

And both of them know it. But they're entertaining me by checking it out.

I ignored them and stopped atop a ledge, closing my mind and focusing. "Miyu? What is it?" Haru asked, going on alert. The hairs on the back of my neck stuck up.

This scent. It's barely there anymore, but I'd recognise it anywhere. It smells homely.

"Itachi was here." I said, some relief in my voice.

The boys eyes went wide with surprise. They were sure we wouldn't find anything. Hell, even I didn't think we would.

"How long ago?" Hawaki asked, looking around, his ears twitching ever so slightly. He's trying to pick up any sound that could be from them.

I shook my head. "Maybe a couple of days. Three at the most. He was fighting though. That's why his chakra is still lingering." I stated, sniffing around again.

They definitely crossed over heading north. The Land of Earth is a large country. They could be going anywhere. They could be leaving the country even. "We'll tell Sasuke that they're in the Land of Lightning." I decided, turning back to them.

Hawaki nodded and Haru sighed. "He's not going to be happy when he figures out they're not."

I shrugged, biting my thumb. I quickly weaved the signs and slammed my hand onto the ground.

The familiar large Hawk circled above me and I held my arm out so he could perch on it. "Hello Mistress. How may I be of help to you?" Masaru asked.

I smiled, scratching lightly the bottom of his chin. "I need you to relay a message to Sasuke for me." His eyes furrowed a bit at the mention of Sasuke.

Ah yes. None of the Hawks are particularly fond of him. "Tell him we've found some traces of Itachi in the Land of Lightning. He's there."

Masaru looked around before back at me and nodding. I smiled, gently stroking the top of his head. "Thank you Masaru."

It's hard to tell with his beak, but he smiled. "Anything for you Mistress." He said before taking off into the sky.

Alright. That should buy us some time. He'll be searching the other side of the country on a false lead and I'll find Itachi.

I'll get an explanation and . . . some advice.

Itachi was a true prodigy. Brilliant, kind, caring, gentle, strong, courageous, unwavering, and . . . loyal.

The memory of the night at the compound flashed through my mind. Then the encounter years ago during our training with Jiraiya.

No, he's not loyal. No! Something else has to be going on in the shadows. I refuse to believe Itachi did all that because of hatred. He wasn't a hateful person. He was a peaceful soul.

I'll hear it from Itachi himself. Ah!

"Miyu!"

"Crazy Girl!"

The boys both cried out in warning. I had sensed it in time to jump backwards and below next to the boys.

A large shuriken struck where I once was. Chakra swirling within it. But not chakra that feels like home.

We all turned in the direction it was thrown. Both Haru and Hawaki drew their swords, eyes narrowed ahead.

Three ninja stood just a bit aways away. Two big burly men, radiating the power of Jonin. No, stronger than the average Jonin. And a thin, tall, woman. Also a Special Jonin.

All wearing headbands of the Hidden Rock Village. All with anger and hatred clouding their faces. Their hatred directed solely on me.

I'd even say their hatred rivals Sasuke's.

The man in the middle, the less burly one, stepped up. He has great reserves of chakra. Maybe late twenties, early thirties, slicked back ash blonde hair, and dark blue eyes with unfathomable hidden rage.

He's glaring at me with even more hatred then the other two.

"Miyuna Uzumaki. You are wanted for high treason, multiple accounts of murder, acts of terrorism, crimes against humanity, and the murders of twelve Rock Ninja; including the grandson of the Tsuchikage; Tsuyoshi! As the number one wanted criminal here in the Land of Earth, we are to bring you in."

His eyes narrowed even more, the emotions burning even brighter then before. "Dead or alive."

Ah crap.