Shades of Grey

Chapter 42

"We have to move pretty fast." Kisame told them. "The convoy will be arriving at Toshiro's in about an hour. If we do not catch up with them, we will have to wait another week for another shot."

"Alright, but it will not be easy in this damn get up." Sakura grumbled.

"Sure, it will kid, I will give you a piggyback ride." The large man grinned down at her.

"Thanks, Kisame." She smiled back when he knelt to let her climb on. "Oh, we forgot; we almost didn't disguise your sword."

"You can do that?" The large man asked as he felt her chakra give off a small pulse.

"Of course." She assured while climbing his back next to a sword that looked to be nothing more than a mere katana.

"Impressive." Kisame told her as they started out the door. "I would have figured that Samehada would just consume any chakra that you tried to use to hide it."

"I didn't say it was easy." The kunoichi acknowledged while they took to the trees.

"Do not over do it." Itachi warned speaking up for the first time since leaving the café.

"I am not." She assured him.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, the three of them trying to pick up signs of the envoy they were after. Kisame though was just about ready to turn and knock his partner out of the trees. Honestly, he was following so closely behind them that it was almost ridiculous. Not to mention, he could feel those damn red eyes boring holes into the back of his head. Didn't he know that he would not let anything happen to the kid either?

"They are up ahead maybe three hundred yards." Sakura suddenly spoke up.

"How do you know?" Kisame asked his passenger.

"Because apparently these girls like perfume." She replied.

"Damn fox." Kisame chuckled as they closed in on the civilian group.

When they stepped out of the trees the envoy stopped and the two civilian guards started to pull their katanas.

"No need for that." Kisame said to placate the guards. "Yuki sent us to replace you two and one of the girls."

"He said that you might show up." One of them acknowledged and approached the carriage that held the girls.

"Mikiko, you can come out; you will be going back with us." The guard addressed one of the women.

Itachi was none too pleased to see the look of relief on the woman's face when she was told that she did not have to continue the journey.

"You guys barely made it." The guard told them. "Stay on this road and you will get there within ten minutes. The girl will go by the name Mikiko for the night. Doesn't matter what you call yourselves; they never pay any attention to us."

Itachi watched as Sakura, assisted by one of the guards, got onto the carriage. He did not like the uneasy feeling that came over him when she was hidden from his view.

"Here." The guard handed Kisame a slip of paper. "It is a map of the complex. Toshiro's room is marked on it. The room next to it has a one-way mirror; sometimes he lets his men watch the show he puts on with the girls. As soon as they get out of the carriage you should be clear to make your way there. Good luck; trust me you are going to need it."