Tsunade's Office

[Nicholas]

While Nicholas disagreed on the Kekeya's theory regarding planning, not much of what they had discussed was really relevant to how their mission would affect his assignment.
"I'll admit that you've thought this out, but none of what we've just gone over makes my job easier if you leave. To be honest, the only one I care about is Shima." Nicholas said, glancing at Tsunade for a fraction of a second. "I wish I could say more, but I can't."

[Akemi Yamagata]

Akemi had been standing at the back of the room to where she could see everyone. To those who didnt know her, it would have appeared that she was completely relaxed and maybe even daydreaming, however what she was really doing was completely focusing on the discussion between Kekeya and Nicholas. She was not only listening to what was said, but the unspoken as well.

When it was clear that Kekeya had finished his plan for the mission, and after Nicholas had made his points, Akemi cleared her throat and stepped forward, coming to stand in line with the others.

"If I may speak Lady Hokage?" Akemi spoke, and after getting a nod from the Hokage, she continued, "I do understand Nicholas's worries, both regarding the recon of the mission and whether the mission would interfere with his duties.. but its also clear that Kekeya and his friends are determined to do this. If this friend of theirs is truely capable of what they say she is, then how can we be sure that Orochimaru isn't planning on trying to use her in some way as a weapon against the village? I do think that they should be allowed to go on their mission.."

Akemi stopped for a moment and took her gaze away from Lady Tsunade to look to Kekeya quickly before turning her attention to Nicholas.

"But I also think that we should take some measures to make the journey a little more safe. Perhaps there should be two groups, one sent out a little ahead of the other group in order to do a little recon to prepare the other group to let them know what to expect. I'm willing to join that group if you think its wise."

She then glanced over at the completely obviously bored Sachi who was now sitting on the floor with her legs crossed and swaying back and forth.

"Sachi would of course be involved in both teams, but I think I'd prefer her to be with me in the recon team first. Its apparent that she's learned a new trick with her Kekkei genkai, as long as she stays in body contact with a person, she's able to make them invisible too. That alone could come in handy with some of the mission when it comes to the recon. We'll set up a time to meet up with the other squad to fill them in on the information we were able to gather."

[Tsunade]

Tsunade thought this over for moment, Akemi did have a point. Orochimaru would probably find a way to use the girl as a weapon, if he hadn't already been trying to do so. Not only that, she had a feeling that Kekeya's group would leave with or without her approval.

Darn youth with their sense of responsibility she cursed to herself only mildly, in truth she respected their determination.

She let out a sigh and focused on the two men, "What do the two of you think?"

[Nicholas]

Nicholas frowned at the new development concerning Sachi, but his cloak hid it behind the high neck.
"Since when has she been able to do that? Nevermind, it doesn't matter. If she can extend her kekkei genkai to cover another person we can simply walk through the barrier if there is one - systems like that work by sensing the minute amounts of chakra everyone unconsciously gives off. Still, not my point." Nicholas turned to face the Hokage. "I apologize, but I don't see any point in not telling them how my assignment relates to them. Things will be much simpler once everything is in the open, and they're already hopelessly involved anyways."

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya turned to Nicholas. He was going to reveal his duties? Kekeya didn't expect this, but he decided it was best to know. He said nothing, simply listened quietly, so as not to interfere.

[Tsunade]

"I do plan on finding out how long Sachi has been able to do this little trick," Tsunade said, eyeing the purple haired girl who was now grinning and looking semi-sheepishly up at her. Then she turned her attention back to Nicholas.

"Yes go ahead and tell about the mission. However, its not to go outside of this office." She said. She leaned back in her chair.

"Then after that, I'd like Kekeya's thoughts of Akemi's suggestion about the second team. When thats over with, I'll let you know what I've decided."

[Nicholas]

"Thank you. This should help clear things up a bit." Nicholas said before turning to face Kekeya.
"Simply put, I'm the one who got stuck with the job of figuring out what the Akatsuki cell that showed up two months ago was up to here, and how to counter them if they showed up again. I've already figured out what they took, but what bothered me was that rather than leave and try to avoid confrontation as the group usually does, they went looking for a fight. At first I thought they were after the Jinchurikii like last time, but after reading over the reports a few more times I noticed that they passed up more than one chance to kill Shima while they didn't hold back with the rest of you. The only reason they would have done that is if they wanted him alive. I don't know why they want him yet, but I'd rather keep him here in the village until I figure out where they're operating from instead of giving them another shot at capturing him. And don't say that they're still recovering, there's more Akatsuki than just those four, I have a rather large scar across my midsection to prove it."

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya cringed at the last of Nicholas's words. It appears they had one more thing in common. "I see why you would want Kurakuren under high maitenance, but if you can find a way to keep him in the village, be my guest. In fact, in our travels, I think it would be a good idea for you to come. As you said, you don't know where the Akatsuki have taken up post. Wouldn't it be convenient if somehow we stumbled onto a clue in our search for the Sasaki? You do know the identity of the Akatsuki member who showed the most aggression, don't you? But then again, how would it be my decision? It's up to Miss Tsunade."

[Tsunade]

Tsunade staightened in her chair and put her hands together, interlocking her fingers. She let her eyes move from one person to the next, letting everything sink in.

"I'm granting the mission. However, it will be done as Akemi suggested, in two groups so that one can focus mostly on recon and the other on performance. It is true that I want Kurakuren Shima to be kept under watch, so I'm also going to have Nicholas go along on the mission. His mission is for guarding and is seperate from yours. However, if at any time he feels that the danger is too high you must work together, if not fall back and send for back up."

She let out a sigh, "I expect to have a list of people you plan on taking on each squad." She informed before dismissing them.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya bowed in respect and looked at everyone in the room. He was glad things turned out good. He really would rather have not done this without permission, but that wasn't a worry anymore.

[Nicholas]

Nicholas nodded once and briskly turned and walked out of the room after Tsunade dismissed them, his large grey cloak flowing from the sudden movement. He didn't like the situation at all - a moving mark was several magnitudes more difficult to guard than a stationary one, and he still had no idea where the Akatsuki were based, and he couldn't come up with any comprehensive plan to avoid them without that information. On top of that, he'd need to watch his own back - several organizations already had bounties out on him from his mercenary days, and while he wasn't sure where the Akatsuki fell in regards to that he knew that they were well aware of him, too. Exiting the building, Nicholas turned south and began heading home with flash step, not bothering to hide his irritation. If he was going to leave the village, he wouldn't do so without preparation.

[Kekeya Sasaki]

Kekeya exitted quickly for home. He was going to need one more thing before they start looking for the Sasaki. He accidently bumped into Akemi, and as he left, you couldn't help but notice for a split second, a blush hit his face.

[Ce Fujibaysenta]

(OOC: Started New RP)

Ce after 7 years of not coming to the leaf had finally decided it was time too return and he went to the hokage's office to say hello to an old friend. He looked at a person there that was guarding the entrace to the Hokage's residence and asked, "Can I get an audience with the hokage, it's important business."

[Tsunade]

"Let him in," Tsunade yelled from her desk, overhearing Ce outside her office. Once he entered, Tsunade stood up and offered her hand.

"What brings you to the Leaf Ce?" She asked, but before he had time to speak, she stopped him.

She just recieved word that the siblings and their escort had just arrived from Suna.

"Hold on a minute," She said to Ce. Then she yelled "Kakashi! Come here." She knew that Kakashi was right outside her office too because she had seen him there not that long ago, reading his book.

[Kakashi Hatake]

Kakashi had been re-reading over the book he recieved from Jiraiya back when he was hospitalized. He wanted to get in enough reading to a good stopping point as he walked the halls. He was able to pull his nose out of Icha-Icha Tactics long enough to slip it into his pocket, the corner barely hanging out. He walked in through the door shortly enough. "You called, Lady Hokage?"