This is a Sequel to The Hidden Uchiha. So if you find it confusing its probably because you haven't read the first one! Anyways I hope everyone likes it so enjoy! Don't be shy and tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Naruto or the characters! This is all for fun and the amusement of others and not for my own person gain!
Chapter 1
"Shouldn't you be heading back soon? You already retrieved what you had to from the Kazekage." Shun said sleeply.
He was currently laying lazily under the shade of a tree. Nearby his three cubs wrestled playfully keeping close to their father. His land was mostly dry open grassland with a couple of mountains here and there. It wasn't normal of course. This was a different land from the humans. Instead of the regular shades, this place was many different colors. The sky was currently a bright purple with a few orange clouds here and there.
Turning he gazed at the 16 year old girl he held a contract with. She was sitting with her legs crossed and leaning against him. A book lay on her lap and her eyes roamed freely over the pages. Had anyone else gotten so close, he would've ended them.
Akari Yoshida had changed over the past three years. It was obvious that her body was no longer the same. She was a young woman now, her curves were more noticeable. Not to mention that her training had kept her fit and toned. The girl's hair was slightly longer and she had managed to grow a few inches. Her face now bore a diagonal scar left there from an enemy kunai.
Shun smiled warmly as she bit her lip and twirled her kunai with the red ribbon. Though her appearance had changed, some things never did. He couldn't help but care for the young woman. Spend time with someone for 3 years and they tend to grow on you.
"Yeah but they gave me 2 days to get it. I managed to do it in minutes thanks to you, and Gaara was busy with Kazekage stuff. Which means I have some free time." She told him without tearing her eyes from the book.
"I see. But isn't today the day of your sisters passing."
He frowned as a flicker of pain crossed her face. It was brief, anyone else would've missed it.
"I went to see her before I left. Riko said he would be going later this afternoon. I'll go back once it's time for him to visit. We made a promise." She smiled sadly.
Shun stared at her for a moment. Usually, she never showed her pain. She had become masterful at the art of repressing it. Anyone who didn't know her well enough would never think anything was wrong. Her façade never slipped. He assumed that it was due to the date that it had today. Her pain bothered him but he knew she wouldn't like it if he pried. Instead he acted as if he had seen nothing. She appreciated it.
"Alright." He yawned and readied himself for a nap. Akari could babysit for a while.
"Did you ever hear of this Madara guy? He seemed intense." She said in awe.
Shun opened one eye.
"No but something tells me you're going to tell me all about him."
"Nah. Take your nap you grumpy cat!" Akari chuckled.
Smiling he did.
Akari made herself comfortable next to him. His fur was really quiet soft. Once she felt at ease she continued to read. Madara was the first person she read about once she started to research her clan. Over the past three years she hadn't learned as much as she wanted. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of information on the Uchihas.
Itachi never had time to explain much now a days. The Akatsuki were on the move. Thinking about this made her anxious. Closing the book she picked herself up and made her way to the cubs. They stopped playing as she approached and grew excited. Now, these cubs weren't your regular size cubs. These were the size of a full grown cheetah. Akari smiled at their father who was 4 times as big.
"Are you gonna play too Akari?" The youngest grinned.
"Why not. Whoever catches me first gets to take me home later."
The three cubs leaped in excitement. Akari smiled knowing how much they enjoyed seeing the human world. It was a great prize to be won. She noticed Shun open an eye at this but he closed it just as quickly. He wouldn't mind.
"Okay. Let's do this!" She cried out.
The cubs immediately grew serious. They understood that this wasn't just a game. Akari used this as practice. To get stronger, faster. They had done this many times before. It was getting easier for her to evade the three cheetah cubs.
The first sprinted after her. Then the second. And third. She turned and ran out into the taller grass. Making sure she could see them, she kept a few paces ahead. Her speed had greatly improved. She was just thinking this when something tackled her from behind.
Poof!
"Just a (cough) clone? (cough) No fair! (cough)" The cub whined.
Akari chuckled from where she hid. The grass was keeping her well concealed but she knew a certain cub that had very good eyesight. She smiled as he pounced on her. With a quick backflip she landed a few feet away. The cub turned on her just as quickly but she side stepped every attack. Dodge. Duck. Roll. Jump. Finally he had her backed up against a tree. Using it as leverage she pulled herself up and sat on a branch. The three cubs surrounded her down below.
"Come on guys! Don't make this easy for me!" She grinned.
They leaped and climbed the tree with ease. Akari climbed even higher. The chase continued on the branches. It was a fairly big tree so they had plenty of room to maneuver. She kept out of there reach as best as she could. Then one of them managed a swipe at her arm. Swearing she noticed them grin widely at her. Their prey was getting tired.
Backing up she walked out on a long branch. They stalked her slowly from each side. She was quickly running out of branch. Once she was on the tip, they ran at her all at once. Akari back flipped off the tree and prepared herself for the landing. Above her the cubs had leaped after her. As soon as her feet touched the ground she disappeared.
The cubs landed gracefully and began to sniff the air.
"Your Transparency Jutsu won't work. I can tell your right in front of me." One of them smirked.
He swiped but she had already moved away. She chuckled and reappeared directly beside him. He turned to face her but it was a mistake. The other cubs watched as he fell to ground clearly asleep. Akari faced them with a grin. Her eyes the color of blood.
"Genjutsu!" They cried out.
"One down." She smirked.
The remaining two watched her warily. By now they had learned not to look directly into her eyes. Instead they only looked from the neck down.
Finally they continued the chase. Keeping their eyes down, the cubs charged at her. Leaping over them she threw two shuriken at the closest one. Instead of hitting him they wrapped around his legs and returned to her hands. Then she pulled, tightening the hidden strings. The cub fell, his legs currently tied up.
Akari landed on the balls of her feet and crouched low. The third and final cub was gone. The grass towered over her where she hid. It didn't help that it was color of the cub's fur. Warily she crawled towards the shorter grass. She paused when she heard a small rustle. A shadow fell over and she brought her hands together.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
She was now back to where Shun lay sleeping. Looking out at the grasslands she could see the two fallen cubs. One asleep and the other squirming to get free. She still couldn't see the third.
Sighing she felt it was time to try her Mangekyo. Concentrating she shifted her eyes. Immediately her vision improved. She could see everything! It was a lot clearer and more enhanced then her regular sharingan. Smiling she walked up to the small amount of chakra hiding in the grass. It noticed her and pounced in retaliation.
Akari dodged every swipe with ease. They seemed to dance as they maneuvered around each other. Shun woke lazily and watched them in amusement.
The final cub leaped and pounced attempting to catch her prey. The human girl was making it very difficult. She didn't mind though. This was great fun! Her brothers were already out which meant she won among the three. Grinning, the cub tried a final tackle.
Akari stood still, smirking at the young cub. It wasn't moving. It lay on the ground at her feet with a grin on its face. The poor thing thought it had caught her. The cub's legs twitched as if they had a big prize in their grasp.
"Alright Akari. You win. Release my offspring please, before my mate arrives."
Smiling up at him she did. With a swift throw of her kunai, the one tied up was freed. Then bringing her fingers together, she released her genjutsu. The last two slowly rose in a daze. They shook in frustration as they realized what had happened. The three bounded up to her complaining as they went.
"Aww man! We almost had you!"
Akari gave them a wink. Then without warning all three cubs pounced on her bringing her to the ground. She wrestled with them for a while before Shun's mate arrived with lunch. She dragged what seemed to be some kind of large deer. Akari wasn't sure. The large female cheetah offered her some but she kindly declined like usual. As the family ate, she made her way back to Shun.
"I think it's time you head back." He told her.
"What's the hurry? Riko probably has returned from his assignment." She asked as she brushed herself clean.
"A familiar scent has arrived at your village."
Startled she looked up at him.
"Sasuke?"
"No. The other one." He licked his paw.
"Naruto then." Akari smiled warmly.
"Yes that one. He arrived during your game with the cubs."
"Alright. Ill head back then."
Still smiling she packed up her things. Carefully she put the book in her backpack and then picked up her mask. Putting it on, she climbed on Shun's back. He rose himself slowly and yawned.
"Okay, hold on." He warned.
Shun began to run, slowly picking up speed. His cubs cried out a goodbye as they passed and she waved in return. As Shun reached full sprint, her surroundings blurred. In seconds the grasslands were gone and her village was in the horizon. He slowed down a few miles from the front gate. Lowering herself down Akari patting him lovingly on his leg.
"Thanks big guy. It might be a while before I call you again." She told him
"That's fine with me. I need a break from you anyways." He teased.
Softly, as if she were his own cub, he nuzzled her hair. Akari giggled and hugged his neck. Then he left for home.
Akari didn't want to waste any time.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
Akari had chosen to show up inside the village. She didn't expect it to be among her friends. But, that's where she was. In the middle of a group of ninja. Only one of them seemed surprised at her sudden appearance. He fell back in surprise.
"Chill Naruto." Shikamaru helped him up.
"An A.N.B.U! You scared the crap out of me!" Naruto chuckled.
Akari smiled. He didn't look that different. Though he was taller than her now and dressed differently. Then she realized he probably didn't recognize her. Her mask was firmly on her face and she was dressed in the usual A.N.B.U attire.
"Do you have something for me?" Someone said slightly annoyed.
Akari turned to the voice and rolled her eyes. Temari had a hand on her hips and the other she held out palms up. Digging through her pouch, Akari brought out a slip of paper.
"There you go. The roster of candidates form the Hidden Sand who will be taking the Chunin Exams. Gaara added a few last minute names."
Temari glanced over it then nodded before placing it in her pouch.
"You left just this morning and your back already!" Sakura grinned at her.
"Sure am. Shun makes travel a whole lot easier." Akari laughed.
"You all know who this is." Naruto asked.
He came closer and practically pressed his face against hers trying to see who she was. She chuckled at his confusion and stepped back.
"Can't you tell who your old friends are Hero?"
It took him a moment but then recognition flickered across his face.
"Akari!" He cried out.
Sakura smacked him upside his head and Shikamaru rolled his eyes. Temari only shook her head.
"She's an A.N.B.U you idiot! You can't just go around yelling her name like that!" She chided him.
"Sorry damn!"
Rubbing his sore spot he smiled at Akari.
"How are things? How's your brother?" Naruto asked.
"Everthing is going pretty well. Riko's fine thank you. He's a Jonin now so he keeps busy most of the time."
"Aw man! It's like everyone moved up but me! By the way, I didn't know it was you because you didn't have the tattoo the last I saw you." He pointed at her shoulder.
"Oh! Yeah. I got it shortly after you left. Quiet proud of it actually."
Akari placed a hand over the tattoo on her right shoulder that marked her as an A.N.B.U. It meant everything to her. Naruto smiled at her then a sad look crossed his face.
"Your sister. You miss her." It was a question.
Akari gave him a small nod.
"Everyday moment of every day." She told him.
"I miss him too." He whispered.
Sakura frowned. Akari nearly cried. Instead she hugged him. Then she looked up and noticed how late it was. She had miscalculated how long she had stayed with Shun. She swore.
"Crap! I need to get home and change. I have somewhere to be."
Pulling away from him she waved a goodbye. Her friends watched her go before she disappeared around the corner.
Once she was in her room she changed into her regular ninja attire. When she wasn't on an A.N.B.U mission, the Hokage tended to send her on regular assignments. She still wore her fishnet arm warmers and gloves but the rest was slightly different. Still in black, she wore fishnet leggings that stopped at her knees. Over them she wore spandex and her right thigh was wrapped in gauze. This is where she wore her weapons pouch. Her top was a short sleeveless blouse. Her stomach was left bare. Staring at herself in the mirror she wrapped gauze over her tattoo and tied her headband over it. She was now ready to see her sister.
Akari found Riko at the cemetery. He was surprised to see her but smiled warmly. He had already placed his usual water lily on her grave. Akari placed her white lilies beside the ones she left that morning. She also noticed the roses left by her parents. Then the purple blossoms. She smiled. Hinata.
The two siblings had promised to see their sister together every year on this day. Sure they saw her often throughout the years but never together. Their schedules kept them from getting the chance. Instead, they each visited her when they could on their own. She had been disappointed when she had received her mission that morning. Because of it, she had come early in the morning and visited alone in case she couldn't make it back in time.
"You made it back. I didn't think we'd be getting the chance to do this together" He said.
"I almost didn't. Though I finished early, I decided to stay with Shun till you would be here. I miscalculated the time difference and nearly missed it. Thankfully he informed me of Naruto's arrival prompting me to come earlier."
"I'm glad. It means we kept our promise."
"And we will continue to keep it."
They stood there in silence as they gazed at the name on the headstone. Mizuko Yoshida. Akari never showed her true emotions unless she was here. Slowly, a tear streamed down her cheek. Riko reached for her hand, which she gladly took.
"How is Naruto?" He distracted her.
"I can tell that he's changed. I sensed he was stronger." She wiped away the tear.
"That's expected. Gone nearly three years, he was bound to learn something."
"I'm worried though. If he's here, the Akatsuki will find him easier."
"Speaking of which, when will you and Itachi set your plan in motion? You never told me what it was."
"It's better if I didn't. You might try to talk me out of it." She frowned.
"If you're worried that I'll be against it than it can't be good."
"Itachi said that something is going down right now. Once it's over, we will begin." She told him.
Her brother only nodded. He could tell that, whatever it was, it was bothering her. His sister tried so hard to keep her emotions in check but he knew her to well. She might be able to fool everyone else but not him. Never him.
Akari and Riko walked side by side as they headed home. On the way, Akari noticed someone waiting for her outside the cemetery. The man held a book close to his face and was leaning casually against a tree. Riko noticed as well and nodded a brief goodbye. They would see each other at home. Akari watched him go then made her way to Kakashi.
"What's up?" She asked.
"Nothing. Just letting you know I may not have time to train with you as often."
His one uncovered eye never left his book. Akari grimaced at the title. She still didn't understand his obsession with them. They were so…tasteless. Though she would never tell him or Jiraiya.
"I figured. Naruto's back." She stated.
"Yes he is."
"It's okay. I've learned quite a bit from you. Silent Killing, Chidori, Lighting cutter, Lightning transmission, you even taught me the basics of your Kamui. I still have some work to do on that one. Anyways thank you for working with me these past few years."
"You're welcome."
He closed his book and turned his eye on her. He seemed to be search her face for something. She didn't let him find anything.
"You know, I looked in on your mission reports and it shows that you never use the Chidori." He finally said.
"It's good to know it, but I don't quite feel comfortable using it just yet."
"I see. I meant to ask, have you heard anything from your special friend?"
Akari rose an eyebrow at him. Kakashi hadn't been sure about the whole Itachi thing, but he had accepted it fairly easy. Probably because he had worked with the Uchiha before.
"Not in many words. I know something is happening but I don't know the details. I suggest you keep a close eye on Naruto now that's he's back." She warned him.
"Will do. Speaking of my former student, I'm supposed to be meeting him soon. Come to me if you have any problems with the Kamui. I'm still working on it myself, but I've got the gist of it."
She nodded. Then he disappeared. She had grown accustomed to this. Kakashi was a strange man at times. Akari wasn't sure if she had been speaking to the real one at all.
Smiling to herself, she went started to walk home. It was then that a crow landed on her shoulder. It handed her a note and then forced its way down her throat. Coughing she unfolded the note.
"Don't come running. Whatever happens next, stay out of it. It will all play out on its own. I'm not asking you Akari, I'm telling you."
Akari read the note twice. Whatever was going on, it must be very serious for him to want to keep her away. Scenarios crossed her mind and none of them were good. She thought of Naruto, but didn't think they would attack him so soon. Then her mind went to the Hidden Sand.
"Gaara." She whispered.
Without thinking she ran in the direction of Sunagakure. She didn't get far. Akari then realized the purpose of the crow. As soon as her intentions were clear, the world went dark.
