Things to Note…

Welcome to my own little slice of Konoha! I (obviously) do not own Naruto or any of its characters. I do however own my original characters and the story line of the tale you're about to read. This is an AU, so not all timelines will match up with our beloved anime and some characters that have perished will live on here as I just couldn't bear to see them all go.

This story is meant for mature adult audiences. This story may contain detailed scenes of violence, sex, abuse, rape, substance use, etc. as well as strong language. As I don't want to disrupt the continuity or the surprise of the story, I will not be posting warnings on each chapter, but I will include an -MA- as the first line of all sexually explicit chapters. Read with caution knowing any chapter may include the other themes mentioned above.

Some chapters are titled after songs that have inspired me while writing. I do not own these songs and I have included the artist's name for credit. These songs were not used to represent my opinions, story, or any events within, nor do they represent any views of the artists. These songs have simply assisted me in the creative process and development of an atmosphere while writing. I've chosen to include them so you may delve deeper into the story with me.

Finally, I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it! It's a work in progress and I don't have a schedule for posting at this time. This will be my first work published on WattPad and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!

Chapter One: Arrival

"Again!" He panted. I stood, coming back to the ready with knees apart and my left hand gripping my fan tighter. The five blades that served as the ribs of the fan glinted in the sunlight.

A small growl escaped Naruto's mouth before he made the necessary hand sign for his signature shadow clones. They appeared around me in a circle, at least fifty this time.

I took a deep breath and centered myself, focusing on my chakra. I could feel the air around me begin to crackle. I extended my arms out to my sides and summoned my strength. Get ready, Naruto—I'm not holding back this time.

XXXXXXX

Gai was rambling on again, though I'm not even sure what he was saying. Hands in my pocket, I was focused on our destination. Tsunade had summoned us back before I had even reached my target, but I was curious to find out why the Hokage would pull us both from missions. We were almost to the clearing when I felt a tingle of chakra ahead. But I didn't recognize it. Hmm...

"Did you feel that, Kakashi," Gai said. "That chakra, its almost tangible."

We both sped up as we made our way down the rest of the hill, curious to see just who was producing this power. As we cleared the tree line stepping out onto the ledge of the large boulder, we were greeted by a sea of knucklehead ninjas.

"Huh," I heard Gai sigh next to me. "Just Naru—" and then we both spotted the figure in the middle of those clones. A kunoichi, arms outspread with a small smirk playing at her lips. I could feel the air sizzle again, and suddenly her chakra was visible, sparking around her like...lightning. So similar to my own chidori, but as she swirled her body it disappeared into the cyclone that rose up around her. Suddenly the sky became dark, clouds rushing in as the growing funnel climbed to meet them.

"Intriguing," I murmured, entranced in the battle before me, my hair whipping in the wind.

The Narutos hesitated for just a second before they began pairing up, quickly forming chakra for his rasengan. The base of the tornado widened, and as the clones charged in, it began to rope out, vortices splitting from the larger twister seeking out every clone. When rasengan met storm, each vortex released a powerful rivulet of lightning that struck the clones with such force that they instantly disappeared in a puff of smoke. The real Naruto was blown away and smashed into the side of the boulder we were standing on.

The stormed dissipated just as quickly as it had formed. The sky cleared and when the dust had settled the kunoichi was crouching in the same spot taking deep breaths. Wisps of long blonde hair billowing around her face, framing a delighted smile.

"Well, Naruto," she said in a singsong voice. "How was that?"

She raised her head so her gaze would rest on the ninja below us, allowing her face to be revealed fully. Even from here I could see the sparkle in her dark green eyes.

Always playing it cool, my old student's familiar laugh rang out. "I guess Grandma Tsunade had a point."

A small chuckle escaped me, and the woman's eyes snapped up to me.

XXXXXXX

Two shinobis were standing atop the boulder, one in green and one with silver hair—though he couldn't have been old enough to earn the gray. I stood and folded my fan, tucking it into my back pocket. Then I brushed the dirt off of me, straightening my ice blue tunic. Naruto followed my eyes and greeted the men.

"Kakashi-sensei, Gai-sensei! How uh...how long have you been here?" he asked, embarrassment spreading over his face.

"Long enough, Naruto" said the silver man, amusement hinting in his smooth voice. He was tall and lean, his hair spiking out from over the headband that was positioned to cover one of his eyes. He had a mask pulled up to the bridge of his nose, hiding the rest of his face.

"Figures," Naruto muttered as he stood.

"And who is your formidable opponent, Naruto? " the man in green asked.

"Oh, sure. Gai-sensei, this is Emiko Akiyama," he answered. "She actually used to live here."

"Pleasure to meet you, Emiko" Gai said as he hopped down to greet me. "I'm Might Gai" he said dramatically, flashing a wide smile and looking off into the distance.

...Okay.

"Nice to meet you, Gai" I replied, bowing my head.

"And this here" he gestured with a nod of his head towards the silver man "is Kakashi Hatake."

In a swift movement he too was in front of me, and my heart skipped. "Hello, Emiko" he breathed, his dark eye then crinkled and I could only assume he was smiling. "That was quite the jutsu."

"Call me Emi," I smiled back. "And thanks."

"Emi," he echoed with a nod.

"So where are you going, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked.

"Lady Tsunade requested our presence before dinner today," Kakashi answered.

"Oh, you too?" I suppose I won't be meeting with the Hokage alone.

His inquisitive eye came back to me as Gai replied to my question. "Yes Miss Akiyama, would you like to walk with us then?"

"Sure," I said, turning to Naruto again. "Well, thanks for the practice, Naruto. I guess I'll see you around!" I waved bye with a wink as the ninja waved back at me. Kakashi gestured me forward and we were off.

What might Lady Tsunade have up her sleeve, then? I wondered.

"Naruto said you use to live here, Emiko?" Gai started as we began. I found myself walking between the two on our way to the Hokage.

"That's right. But it was a long time ago. My family was sent on a mission to travel among the villages and report back to the Hokage. I was only 6 when we left and we've been on the move for...wow, 19 years now. We've never stayed in one place for too long." I explained.

"Akiyama," Kakshi said thoughtfully, I turned my head and watched him rub his chin with his hand. "You can't be the daughter of Ikuyo and Tarou Akiyama?"

"Yes, actually. Did you know them?"

"Not well, but your brother Ryoto—we were friends before he left. We met at the academy, and we used to spar sometimes," he said as he scratched the back of his head. "How is Ryoto?"

"Well...that's why I'm back actually." I paused and I could feel the life slipping out of my voice. "He's dead. And so are my parents."

They had both stopped walking, but I kept on. When they caught up to me, I could see my own sadness staring back in that lone dark eye.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, Emi," Kakashi said softly. The tear I had been fighting so hard to hold back found its way down my cheek. I quickly faced forward and marched on.

XXXXXXXXXX

Our audience with Lady Tsunade was brief, mostly due to the fact that there was so little information to be exchanged. Gai would be taking over my mission—what was thought to be a fairly short stent in the Land of Waves. I would be joining Miss Akiyama for reconnaissance, leaving the day after tomorrow. The S ranked mission was to discover exactly what happened to the Akiyama family in the Land of Earth.

"Emiko, this is a recon mission only—find the details and come home. Then we'll decide exactly what move we need to make. Kakashi—" the Fifth Hokage moved her gaze to me. "You will ensure this. Do you understand?"

She can't be serious, I thought. How does she expect her to do this now? It's only been a few weeks since she found out about her family?I cleared my throat. "Forgive me, Lady Hokage, but... is sending Emiko on this mission really the best idea?"

As predicted, Tsunade answered me with a stern look. "Emiko, Gai. You are both dismissed. Emiko, you'll meet with Kakashi tomorrow for final preparation before you leave." Like good soldiers of the Leaf, the shinobi nodded silently and left the room. When the door shut behind them, she released a sigh.

"Kakashi, do you remember the Akiyamas?"

"Of course," I replied. I can even recall a small blonde girl running after me and Ryoto as we fled her annoying presence. I settled back in my chair.

"Then you'll also remember that the Leaf Village owes a great debt to that family. Even more so now that more of them have lost their lives in duty on our command."

"The Third Hokage had plans to bring them back some years ago," she continued. "But when I took office I decided to extend their mission, adding additional responsibilities to the younger members of the family. About a year ago, I sent Emiko on a solo mission to the Land of Waves while I sent her brother, mother, and father to the Land of Earth." The Hokage sighed again, putting her head in her hands. "You see, Kakashi. I'm afraid that I am the reason Emiko has lost her family. And if I had another way to get the information we needed, you better believe I wouldn't be allowing her step foot outside this village right now. But she is the only one who knows how her family operated, their secrets; the only one who still has ties to their contacts..." she trailed.

"What sort of trouble am I about to walk into, Lady Tsunade?" I asked with a raised eyebrow as I slumped further into my chair. Perhaps this would prove interesting after all.

She smiled in relief and handed me a scroll. "This is the last official report we received from the Akiyamas before they were slain. It contains the only information we have on their mission."

I stood, and with a bow I turned to leave. "Keep her safe, Kakashi—we owe them that much."

I stuffed the beat up orange book back into my pocket as I approached. I'd have to get the latest installment before I left on this mission. When I looked up, I stopped short—someone was already in my place at the base of the memorial, fingers tracing delicately over names. She was short, but here in this place she seemed even smaller. More fragile than her toned body would suggest. Her eyes snapped to me, and I spoke.

"I'm sorry, there's not usually any one here..."

"You have names on this rock too, Kakashi?" she asked, her voice sounding far away and her expression was blank.

"In that you are not alone, Emiko," I answered.

"Emi," she reminded me.

"Emi," I agreed. "I wont interrupt you—"

She stood as I spoke. "No, I was just leaving anyway. I'll see you tomorrow sometime then?"

"Yes," I answered. "How about we meet for lunch about noon."

"As long as its not Ichiraku, I'm there. That's the only place Naruto has let me go for lunch since I got here," her whine was only half hearted, matching the small grin she produced.

I rolled my eyes, "Sounds about right. Barbecue then?"

She answered with a nod and turned to leave.

I studied the place where her fingertips had been, and there were three fresh names engraved:

Ryoto Akiyama

Ikuyo Akiyama

Tarou Akiyama

But there were two names not far from those, also with the name of Akiyama. I guess hadn't paid much attention to them before: Kagome and Natsu. Of course everyone in the village knew their story, I just hadn't had reason to think of that family in such a long time.

Instead of speaking to Obito as I usually did, I pulled out the scroll and began to learn about what this mission may bring.