Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, thank Kishimoto-san for that.

Author's Note: This takes place some years after the whole Akatsuki incident. This is more of a "next generation" story. So yeah, the Naruto characters are a lot older. And if you have no idea who the heck the Akatsuki are... then you are now warned that there may be some spoilers in the story. I am basing this story off the manga as much as possible and trying to refrain from referring to the anime.

Summary: Its been some years since the Akatsuki waged war on the ninja villages. The ninja villages banded together and defeated the Akatsuki and peace reigned over the land. The ninja villages have been rebuilt and are strong once more. Peace has lasted for a long time and no one could complain, but as it is with the cycle of life, there is a cycle of war. The peace can not last for long.

Atrashii Chishio

Chapter I: The Student of Uzumaki

It was an early, warm, beautiful spring day in Konohagakure no Sato, the Hidden Leaf Village. A girl who was only thirteen was taking a walk in the streets of Konoha, hands in her pocket in a tomboyish way. She was dressed in a black tank top and a pair of old blue jeans. The black tank top had straps about two and half centimeters long and a semi low v-cut. Her jeans were almost threadbare at the knees and down, the ends roughly cut off. Her long waist length hair trailed out behind her in the faint wind, her vivid green eyes taking everything in.

The village had changed a lot, completely rebuilt, her father always said. Sure some of the things still looked the same, but the truth was, everything had been rebuilt. All because Pain had desecrated the village thirteen years ago. But it wasn't all bad. The village was more defensible now, and the Academy was bigger and better than before. The only really sad thing was the Hokage Faces. Sure there were pictures, but no one had been able to really rebuild the Faces. The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage Faces had taken a long time to remake, the Fifth's wasn't as hard, seeing as she had been alive long enough for them to rebuild it. The Sixth's was already there. His face had been the easiest to add. Of course, a lot of people did notice that the Fourth and Sixth looked a lot alike...

The girl's walk had led her to the Academy. She let out a yawn and stared at the large building. The Academy had been rebuilt according to her own plans. She had only been four at the time, but she was really bright. The Academy now not only taught the basics, but also went on to develop the individual's own skills. In truth, when one graduated from the Academy now, they were more along the rank of a Chunin compared to the rest of the Genin of the other ninja villages. The only thing was that not a lot of kids graduated. The peace had caused a lot of people to get lazy.

She was starting to walk away when someone touched her shoulder. Naturally, she grasped the hand and threw them onto the ground. "Oh... Iruka-san," she mumbled. "Gomen nasai*," she said, helping him up.

Iruka placed a hand behind his neck and laughed lightly. "It's alright. It's my fault, I should have known better," he said. Iruka smiled, his eyes glowing in warmth. "You've come a long way..."

She nodded. "Yes... I have, haven't I?" she said quietly, looking up at the clear sky. Streaks of pink entering the pale blue sky as the sun rose. "What did you need me for?" she finally asked.

"Oh that..." Iruka let his hand fall. "Well Naruto wanted to see you."

"Is that all?" she asked, looking at him. "He could have just contacted me the usual way..." she mumbled. "What does he need to talk to me about?"

"I think it has to do with the graduating students. There's a lot more this time around. More than the usual amount at any rate. There are roughly twenty-one students graduating this time."

She raised an eye at him. "Really? That is a lot. Does Naruto need to see me now, or does it not matter?"

"Ah, well he said as soon as possible."

"Mmm. Alright. I'll be there soon," she answered, already heading towards the Hokage's Administration Building. "Oh, Iruka-san, how did you know I'd be here?"

Iruka laughed. "I didn't. Naruto had a hunch."

She nodded and waved goodbye. So he still knows me that well huh? Seven years later and he still seems to know everything about me. I wonder how he does it...

--::--::--::--::--::--::--::

She reached the Hokage's Administration Building within minutes and began the somewhat long climb to the Hokage's Office. She meet Izumo and Kotetsu at their perspective desks on either side of the door to the Hokage's Office. She flashed them a smile before knocking on the door. "It's been awhile Izumo, Kotetsu," she said.

"Yes, it has," mumbled Izumo absently. "You're getting fairer and fairer everyday, you know?"

"Actually, you were here yesterday," said Kotetsu, stealing a small glance at her.

She laughed lightly. "Izumo, Kotetsu, aren't you two a little too old for me? I'm only thirteen, remember?"

Both of them mumbled something and returned to their work. "Good luck."

Before she could ask them what they meant, there was a loud "Enter!" from within the Hokage's Office. She shrugged lightly and opened the door, entering the room and shutting the door with a soft thud. "Ah, I was right in asking Iruka to give you the message."

She nodded. "Yes... You know me very well Hokage-sama," she said, bowing in respect. "What is it that you wished to speak to me of?"

He let out a laugh. "Oh come on Aki, enough with the formalities. Just sensei will do. Even though we don't go out on missions anymore, I'm still, and always will be, your sensei," he grinned.

Aki smiled. "Of course Naruto-sensei, gomen nasai."

Naruto nodded. He leaned back in his chair. "Alright, I suppose Iruka told you about the increase of students graduating right?" Aki nodded. "Well, the problem is that we don't have enough Jonin senseis."

Aki stood still, frozen. "You... You want me to raise a Genin team?" she asked quietly, staring at the floor, her face hidden by her long dark hair.

Naruto let the chair ease back to its proper position and crossed his arms. "Aki... I know how you feel about this, but I made sure the team you're in charge of won't be like the others."

"... Last time you said the same thing, and last time the same thing happened. They never trained. They never did anything. They lied and cheated, and in the end they died. I am not going to take on another Genin team just to watch them lie and cheat their way to death. I told you that last time," she said quietly, her voice getting cold and icy.

Naruto sighed. "I know, I know. I know what I said, but I promise you this team won't be the same."

"All of those teams I tried to raise were too intoxicated over me. There is no way that I am ever taking on a Genin team. They put their lives, and my own life, in danger every time there was a fight. At first I tolerated it, assuming that as it was their first 'real battle' it was a natural reaction, but after the second or third time, I knew the truth. They were testing me by constantly putting their lives in danger just to see my moves," said Aki, half yelling now. "And they paid for it too..." she added quietly. Her hands curling up into fists. "Gomen sensei, but I can't do what you're asking me."

Naruto sighed again. "Come on Aki, you can do it, or I'll make it your mission."

"Nothing you say or do will convince me to take on another Genin team!" yelled Aki.

"Aki... They're different. At least let me tell you who they are." Aki crossed her arms and looked away. "Aki..." grumbled Naruto. "Ahh," mumbled Naruto, running a hand through his blonde hair. "They're gifted Aki. Hatake Rin, Hyuuga Shiro, and Kurotake Akiko. Just give them a shot. If you feel that they'll be the same in any way at all, I'll get someone else. Please Aki? They have potential, and if you were to train them, imagine what they'll be like."

"Sensei... You... You aren't trying to replace them are you?" asked Aki quietly.

"Wha..." started Naruto until he noticed the tears falling from Aki's face. "No..." he whispered. "No, not at all Aki," he said, getting up and going over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a warm hug. "Aki, I would never do that," he whispered. "You must think I'm trying to, but I'm not. They meant a lot to me too," he said gently. "Aki, I miss them just as much as you do."

Aki stayed with him for a few more minutes and then broke away, wiping away her tears. "Gomen..." she mumbled in between sniffles. "It's just that... the way you were talking... It was like when we... first met..." Aki trailed off and looked out the window instead.

Naruto let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry. I guess I forgot. Maybe because it's around that time..." he said quietly, remorseful.

"You mean when you and Sakura-san..."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah..." he said quietly. The room became quiet for awhile, each of them lost in their own thoughts and memories. After what seemed like hours, Naruto asked Aki again, "So, will you consider it?"

Aki was quiet before answering him, "... I suppose I can give them a shot at it."

Naruto grinned. "Atta girl Aki. I knew I could count on you. Here you go, take their files and go meet them. I thought I'd change up the way senseis were introduced this year."

Aki groaned. "You knew I was going to say 'yes' didn't you?!" Naruto grinned in response. "I can't believe you... You're letting everyone know?!" she asked in mock shock. Again, Naruto grinned. "Sensei!"

Naruto knew she was playing. "Yeah, well you'll thank me for it later. Let's just say that you spying on me that day wasn't exactly a good idea."

Aki crossed her arms and raised an eye at him. "What do you mean? You told me to come there. It's not my fault you forgot." At this Naruto couldn't reply. Aki laughed. "It's alright sensei." She took the files off of his desk and left the room, heading back towards the Academy.

Author's Note:

Well, thanks for reading. Now please review, any feedback will be welcomed, be it good or bad. This is my first Naruto fanfic... Suggestions will be taken into consideration as well. Keep on reading to find out what'll happen. I was going to be a lot more... secretive, but if I was, there wouldn't be much here, would there? Can anyone guess who Aki's parents are? Guess, guess. I made an improvement! ^^ I didn't use "..." a lot, which is what I seem to have a problem with, so if I do start doing it, someone tell me, or else I'll end up using it for a long, long, long time.

*Gomen nasai = I'm sorry