Title: Trust in Faith, Believe in Hope

Author: Ashley and Kacie

Summary: "Tell me she's going to be alright, Kashi."

Kakashi grimaced, torn between honesty and hope. "Trust in faith, believe in hope," he said evasively.

Genre: Romance/tragedy/angst

Disclaimer: I don't own the sandbox, I'm just playing in it.

Warning: Yaoi, Angst, ect. Will change later

Pairing: KakaIru KibaHenna EmiNeji

Rating: T (Rating will change later.)

Broken (Ashley): Well, here we go! The start of our first multi-chapter Emiko and Henna story, and I really hope you enjoy it! Oh, and Neji proposed to Emiko before the events of the prologue!

Trans (Kacie): Yes Neji did, and Kiba gave Henna a bracelet saying that when he was ready she would be his. Hope you enjoy :D

Broken: Also, pay close attention to the dates at the beginning of each story! They are going to be important to the timeline. And Henna's bracelet has the Kanji for eternity on it.

Pretty sure Henna gave Emiko a necklace with the Mizuki crest as a gift, but that's a story for another day!

November 20

Emiko closed her eyes tightly as she walked away from her family. She had a moment of hesitation, that she was sure they both felt, but it was gone.

She was crazy, that much was sure. She was leaving behind a woman she loved like a sister, a woman she had and would kill for. A man who just the day before had asked her to take his name.

She had her dream though, to finally be the first female ANBU from either of her clans. It was a heady feeling. She'd be able to give her potential family a comfortable life, and take care of her parents.

She smiled softly as she pushed the door open to T&I where her life would change forever.

Henna blinked and she was gone. Her best friend who was like her sister was just gone.

Not gone as in dead but gone as is left. Her best friend was joining ANBU. That was almost as good a death sentence. Every mission they took had the potential to end in death, but every mission ANBU took was likely to.

She cried into Kiba's chest as she felt a pit open in her chest. Why are you going to go Emi? Why did you have to become an ANBU? Henna thought as she felt Kiba's arms wrap around her a little tighter.

"Kiba, let's go." Henna said gently taking Neji's arm. "Come on Neji, we are going to talk to Iruka and Kakashi." Henna said with another small sigh.

Neji stared at the spot his fiancé had vanished from and nodded, feeling his heart drop. Please make it back okay, Emiko, Neji thought as he turned and followed Henna and Kiba. He kept quiet until Henna knocked on the Hatake door. Kakashi answered it and looked at them.

"Emiko left on mission already?" He asked quietly and Henna nodded.

"It's an ANBU mission, Senpai." Neji added anxiously, and he watched Kakashi's face harden.

"So she was accepted, then." He mused. "Come on in, Iruka is in the kitchen." Kakashi said as he walked into the house.

Iruka was in the kitchen with a few papers on the table. He was writing down several things for the wedding with a smile on his face, when he looked up and saw Henna, Neji and Kiba.

He glanced at Kakashi's face, his smile vanished, and he stood abruptly. "It's about Emiko, isn't it?" Iruka asked solemnly, walking towards Henna who was almost in tears again.

"She is going on an ANBU mission Iruka," Henna said as she started to cry. Iruka pulled Henna into a hug and held her tightly.

"She is a very strong young woman. She will be back before you know it Henna," Iruka said knowing her hurt, and understanding all too well the fear of those left behind by the shadows of Konoha.

Hatake (soon to be Hyūga) Emiko sighed as she stood in front of Morino Ibiki as she recited the ANBU creed that her father had taught her. She held her specialty tessen in one hand and a covered mask in the other.

She sighed as she finished, and tried not to let her emotional fatigue show through. She was already clad in her brand new ANBU uniform, and while part of her was absolutely giddy at finally achieving her dream, the other part was apprehensive.

She was leaving on a two month mission, and any Shinobi in their right mind would be a little apprehensive She'd said goodbye to her former team mates, now her two most precious people, and her fathers' knew this day was coming.

Ibiki stepped forward, a needle and hammer in one hand and he placed his hand on her arm to steady her. She didn't make a sound as her new captain marked her skin, branding her as an ANBU elite.

The hulking man gave her a rare smile, "You may reveal your mask," he said softly, and Emiko did so. She smiled at the almost exact replica of her father's old ANBU mask. "I chose Inu for you, Emiko. From this moment on, you will take your father's legacy in our ranks. His code name, as you well know, was hound."

Tsunade stepped from the shadowed corner and kissed Emiko's forehead after she had approached her. "This will be a solo mission, but Kitsune and Raven will be your team mates after this mission. You can not reveal your identity while you wear this mask under any circumstances, and you may only tell those closest to you that you are in ANBU. If you do reveal your identity while you are out of uniform, be sure you trust them completely." Emiko nodded solemnly and Tsunade took the Inu painted mask from her and placed it on the desk. "Your father and I have one requirement for you," she whispered, moving behind Emiko and pulling her hair into a bun, and wrapping a dark piece of cloth around it before tying it all in place.

"You are concerned my hair will be too recognizable," Emiko stated softly, and Tsunade nodded at her. "I understand. I will keep it in a covered bun at all times in uniform."

Tsunade smiled gravely and took Emiko's mask in her hands again, before completing the final stage of the initiation ritual for the ANBU; placing the mask over Emiko's face and firmly tying the cords that held it there. Tsunade stepped back and looked at her, a flash of pride crossing her features.

"Inu," Tsunade said, and Emiko knelt down on one knee after sheathing her weapons.

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

"From this moment on, you answer only to your captain, your team mates, and Ibiki-san." Tsunade said firmly. "You are my personal guard, you are my soldier to send when there is nothing left but elimination, and you are a part of the shadow that I send when all others have failed. Do you accept your new position?"

"Hai!"

Tsunade smiled proudly and handed Emiko a scroll. "Good luck, Inu-san. Your mission parameters are two months. Send contact when and if you can." Tsunade paused for a moment. "Come back safe."

Inu nodded and took the scroll, slipping it into her pouch. "Hai, Hokage-same!" She closed her hands in a seal in front of her, and transported away, leaving no trace that she had ever been in the room.

Ibiki and Tsunade looked at each other and sighed. They both hoped Emiko was as strong as her father, and didn't allow ANBU to break her.