Chapter 1: Reunion
I got to the gates of Konoha and saw how different it was since the last time I had been here which was almost 20 years now at 47 of age and coming back was going to bring up some family issues I was certain of it I greeted the gate watchers and headed toward the Hokage tower I desperately wanted to talk to the third Hokage about my arrival. I walked past few 12 year old ninjas I smiled just like third old team that brought memories of him and his face and the other one I chuckled back than it was cute to see them argue, but as the years passed it got old and tiresome. I walked past the flower shop and saw Inoichi I waved at him being friendly his mouth dropped and he went rigid and dropped the flowers he was carrying I walked inside and picked up the discarded flowers off the ground and put them on the counter gently. Inoichi just watched the movement and said nothing I knew he was shocked out of his shoes and he looked like he needed a drink I laughed "Inoichi how you doing?"
"G-Good what made you decide to come back eh? Emiko?" He questioned
I chuckled again I knew this was coming he was the top interrogation ninja in Konoha and no one and I mean no one could top his skills "I don't know Inoichi just felt like coming home and seeing the family once more." I answered with a smile I saw something go dark in his kindness went away in them and when he spoke there was grimace in them
"I'm sorry Emiko, but the Uchiha clan was slaughtered" He said with his hands balled into fists just thinking about it and he looked at me with renewed sadness in his eyes. I stood there my knees were shaking with anger I portrayed nothing, but sorrow and regret I took a breath and calmed down I knew I would find out who did this soon, but I didn't want to bother Inoichi with questions he looked busy as it was I smiled and started walking out of the store
"You take care of yourself Inoichi." I said with concern.
Inoichi smiled and responded " you too Emiko you too." and had went back to his work. I continued my walk to the tower and walked past a silver hair fellow than I stopped 'Wasn't he the Fourth student?' I questioned in my mind I turned to look at him again and saw that he was older now he looked 26 to be exact. I blinked a couple of times and continued my walk I reached the tower and looked up ' Sandaime I really need to talk to you' I thought sighing I walked in and went up the stairs and bumped into someone "sorry" I apologized
"It's okay my youthful friend" Gai answered kindly
I made a face of weird and had to ask "why do you say Youthful when you know no one likes to hear it?"
Gai looked at me with kind in his eyes "I don't care what people think of me it's my ninja way that why "he answered honestly and giving me the most bright smile I had ever laid eyes on.
I gave him a smile of my own and side stepped past him " bye I must be off" and continue up the stairs when I had finally reach the Hokage office I took a deep breath and knocked "Come in" I blinked 'that's a woman voice' I thought and walked in quietly. The back of the chair was facing me so I didn't know who it was that had taken the third spot as hokage.
I took the chair that was facing the hokage and spoke "Ummmm Hi, but can I ask why Sandaime-Sama isn't here?"
Tsunade spun around when she heard that voice she hadn't heard it for over 20 years "Emiko? Oh my god it's you!" Tsunade said with happiness.
I blinked in surprise "Tsunade? Where's Sandaime-Sama?" Tsunade sparkle left her eyes and when she answered it was of bitter cold anger " he's gone Emiko Orochimaru that son of a bitch killed him!"
My eyes widen "Orochimaru ! That bastard!" I said shaking my fist with anger, but put it down and smiled at Tsunade.
"We'll worry about him later "I said with promise.
Tsunade nodded and looked at me scanning me "My god Emiko you as young as I do"
"I know right " I said with a laugh
"So how's Shikazu?" Tsunade asked curious
"I don't know haven't seen him" I replied with a shrug
"Hmmm what about Cho?" Tsunade questioned
"Haven't heard from him either." I answered Tsunade was perplexed here was Emiko her best friend since they met at the training grounds haven't seen her two teammates over years she was gone than Tsunade smiled
"Hey do you what to know what." Tsunade was interrupted by the door opening and see Jiraiya walking in the guy she was just about to bring up to Emiko than she smiled a wicked smiled lend back into her chair. I gave her a strange look and then I realized that look was only on her face if she had something evil on her mind. Which I think back I taught her that I giggled. Jiraiya was perplexed who was this woman sitting across from Tsunade and why was Tsunade giving off the evil look
"Tsunade what's wrong?" he asked he had to he didn't know what was going on.
I stopped my chuckling when I heard that voice and I almost gasped out for air that I wasn't holding I turned my head and there he was in all his amazing glory and I gasped out trying to speak, but couldn't Jiraiya saw my face and his eyes went wide "Emiko? " He said in shock he couldn't move an inch from where he stood and Tsunade laughed ' I knew this would happen ' she thought
"so Jiraiya what do you want?" Tsunade asked complete flabbergasted Jiraiya couldn't say anything. I couldn't either, but I wanted to break the awkwardness of the reunion
"Hey Jiraiya how's it going?" I asked nicely
Jiraiya shooked his head and replied " Good just been updating my book which you should read." I laughed "I bet they're a big hit"
"oh they are I have two biggest fans " Jiraiya said while I laughed harder with this
"And I wonder who they are?" I asked curious.
Tsunade was shocked she didn't think they would talk right off the bat "hey my question from earlier Jiraiya you fool"
"Oh right I just wanted to stop by to say that I was going on a small journey Emiko would you like to come?"
"Do I look like a hermit to you?" I answered
"No, but had to ask" Jiraiya said with a stupid grin
"I know you go have fun" I said sweetly
" I will" he answered giving me that look he gave me so long ago that almost choked me on the inside, but held it he left the office and I sighed " Tsu I need your help desperately"
"On what Emiko?" Tsunade questioned concern written all over her face
"My love for him is getting stronger and I can't hold it back much longer" I said looking at the door
"I know it's written all over your face what you need to do is talk to him "Tsunade said I knew Tsunade was right on that, but was scared on the outcome. Tsunade saw the look and sighed "go take a walk it should help you"
"alright thanks Tsunade" I answered smiling while leaving I walked out of the tower and looked around 'hmmm I could go to the old training grounds ' I thought heading towards that area anyways than I saw my favorite tree and jumped into it and thought freely I didn't expect to see him so soon so sudden that had me trembling on the inside she sighed deeply.
She heard some talk just a little ways from her tree and look first and realize it to be Shikazu and Cho I smiled two hours here and I see them I don't do anything to blow my cover, but I listen to what they're talking about. Shikazu shooked his head "Cho you just ate five minutes ago and your hungry already"
"Yea that Ramen stand was cooking something good." Cho answered drooling
"Are you out of chips?" Shikazu had to ask
"Yep I'll be..." Cho stops mid-sentence and looks around for the imposter than relaxed when he saw his brother Chouza walking towards them "Cho your back"
"Yep little bro I am so how are you?" Cho asked
"Good did you I own a restaurant and have a son" Chouza answered
"Where's my nephew then" Cho demanded friendly
"With his team right now on a mission" Chouza answered with pride
"He's a ninja like the two of us?" Cho said surprised
"Yep" Cho almost collapsed with surprise and shock he knew that his little brother would've settled down and had a family by the time he got back, but didn't realize his son was the age to go on missions
"So how old is he?" Cho had to ask
"12 "was Choza answer
"Who are his teammates?" Shikazu asked wondering
"Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka are his teammates" Shikazu gulped at Choza answer 'so my brother actually did ask her ' he thought
" wait Yamanaka is you two other best friend right" Shikazu questioned "yes Inoichi he runs a flower shop now Ino his daughter" Choza replied chuckling a little bit.
Shikazu was amazed he didn't think his brother would settle down what really surprised was the fact he had settle down with Yoshino all Shikazu knew was that she was a bossy and troublesome woman that had to be dealt with fast or she wasn't happy not like he had to do anything about it he had always watched Shikaku handle the troublesome woman on his own while his two friends laughed at him for being whipped by her, but by the looks of it now it was the other way around now his brother and Choza would tease about Inoichi having a daughter he just knew it without even having to ask than his thoughts wondered to her Tsunade was quick-tempered bossy and troublesome and he sighed now he knew why it runs in the family his mom was that way too and should've wizened up on that.
He looked to Choza and asked "How's the third?" Choza face went dark and answered with sadness "he died protecting the village"
Shikazu eyes widen with the news "who..." than he stopped it wasn't that hard to figure out 'Orochimaru did this he's the one.' he thought his mind was progressing a lot of possibilities to get his hands around Orochimaru neck and strangle him.
Cho looked at his best friend with worry he didn't know what was going on in that mind of his and he wanted to know so bad he was upset too that the third was gone than he turned to Choza and asked "who's Hokage now?"
"Lady Tsunade is" Shikazu eyes went to Choza with a questioning look and stood up he was going to talk to Tsunade
"you what me to go with you?" Cho asked kindly
"No I'm going on my own" Shikazu answered walking away with determination while he was walking he thought back to Jiraiya and Orochimaru always arguing over the attention of his female teammate who hadn't shown her face here since they're big fight 20 odd years Jiraiya was trying to protect her honor while Orochimaru just wanted her his own scheme he had always known that Jiraiya was the better catch for Emiko even though she thought not, but it wasn't like she was running to Orochimaru either she just wanted to be free from chains and disappointment he knew she had grown up to all that by her father who had tried his best to raise her and be an independent woman he scoffed at that independent she sure was never once did he see her break down in tears and show her weak side not once did she show her true emotions and never did she admit to falling in love with the white hair ninja Jiraiya and not Orochimaru.
Thinking about her Shikazu smirked she was a hand full and that was certain, but she never failed at a mission that couldn't be carried through and she always did her part a 100% and had always looked out for Cho and himself if needed that was what he like about Emiko she never held back, but he remember the last mission they were on together she wasn't herself something had occupied her mind and wouldn't tell him or Cho for that matter it confused him. He reached the office door and knocked "Come in! "He heard Tsunade say.
He walked in "Hey Tsu." Her face was shocked 'not again' she thought and literally hit her forehead with her hand to hide her blush she shooed team 10 out the door "Go!"
"Troublesome" muttered Shikamaru walking out the door Chouji followed with an open bag of chips
"I've got to see Sasuke-Kun!" Ino squealed excitedly already out the door Asuma laughed and they left. Shikazu looked at their retreating backs 'that's my nephew huh acts just like a Nara' he thought
"It's nice seeing you again Shikazu" Tsunade said kindly
"Yes the same to you Tsu" Shikazu replied taking a seat across from her looking at her intensely Tsunade didn't know if it was okay to say that she had seen Emiko and she knew that showing this on her face would get her trouble so she let face say I've seen Jiraiya today. Shikazu gave a quizzical look and took it for now, but he knew she was hiding something and he was going to find out what.
Shikazu sighed "Tsu how's Jiraiya?"
"He's good just being around town he might go on his journey here soon so yea" Tsunade answered with a smile Shikazu smiled back
"how long do you think he will be gone?"
"How should I know!" she said in an outburst of slight anger Shikazu put up his hands in defense " okay okay calm down" Tsunade took a breather and looked at Shikazu ' he older, but hasn't changed at all' she thought checking him out Shikazu was about to open his mouth to say something when the door came open and Jiraiya walked in again
"What the hell do you want?" Tsunade yelled "Needed to talk, but I guess you're busy..." he stopped talking and looked at Shikazu and his mouth froze and he stared for the longest moment thinking he was shocked out of his boots when Emiko sat in that spot and now there her teammate, but what he saw on her face was of sadness' and sorrow and of longful hate to someone and at the time he thought it was him than he realized she was lost in her own mind lost at what to say lost at what think of herself and people around her lost if coming back was the right decision she made for herself and not for someone else he lowered his eyes in sadness and frowned.
What happened to her? Did Orochimaru finally get ahold of her? Did that scum of a snake hurt her? What did her face portray when she saw him? He was confused and wanted to know why, but he didn't know if it was okay didn't know if confronting her about her problems was a good thing didn't know if remembering the bad times was a good thing for her at the moment. He sighed heavily and looked up to see the two of them concerned
"Ah I'll come back later" Jiraiya responded smiling and leaving he shut the door and leaned against it for support he couldn't hold him steady right now knowing that the woman he loved was hurt mentally on the inside he was bothered about it and so he put his journey on hold to figure it out. At the tree I sighed Cho had left with his brother to meet his nephew and I leaned back onto the trunk and thought why was I so bothered it never phased me before. Why did I come back in the first place? I stopped thinking when the same three ninja children were walking up to tree I jumped out of quietly and landed behind them and walked off in the opposite direction. Naruto turned in that direction
"Did you sense her?" he asked puzzled
" A little" answered Sakura Sasuke glared at the direction I had walked off to he thought it strange he barely sense my chakra and it bothered him, but what bothered him the most was the fact that he didn't hear me jump out of the tree he knew it to be the tree it was the only place to hide.
What bothered him the most was the eyes "Sasuke you there?" asked a very concerned Sakura
"Tsh I'm fine" was his answer and walked off in the very same direction I had taken off to he was going to get answers.
I reached a field and there stood Shikazu and Cho "hey guys" I said smiling Cho eyes widen
"Emiko!" he said running to me and hugging me tightly
"Can't breathe!" I said trying to tap his shoulder
"Sorry" Cho replied and let go Shikazu stared and he saw the sadness in her eyes
"Emiko what's wrong?" Shikazu asked
"My clan got slaughtered "I answered, but I sense someone behind me and I grabbed his arm and flipped him over onto his back with a Kunai at his neck. I saw the shock in his eye and the fear plain on his face I backed off "Why you follow me kid?"
"I don't know you seemed suspicious to me" he said
"Oh your name?" I questioned
"Sasuke" he replied
"Sasuke what?" I said inquired
"Sasuke Uchiha" he answered while I backed off immediately in shock, but glared "did..." I was cut off by Sasuke
"Why would I slaughter my clan my brother Itachi did!" he shouted ' not little Ita! 'My mind was reeling with different possibilities of how it happened, but I couldn't think past that Sasuke was telling the truth and ranged with the anger that was in his voice. I turned around to think and the wind picked up I hated the wind Sasuke eyes widen when he saw the Uchiha sign on the back of my shirt
"You're an Uchiha?" he asked shocked I turned back to him
"I thought you left and yes my name is Emiko Uchiha the daughter of Mikoto and Fugaku Uchiha"I replied
"I'm the son of those two you mentioned "he answered
I looked at him than said " you were the last sibling mom had she said so in her letter little Sasu"
"You could say, but were where you when it happen?" he interrogated
"I had other things to do, but I can't believe little Ita did that" I replied
"Do you mean big bro?" he questioned
"Nope little Itachi is my little brother I'm your big Sister the oldest" I answered
"How did you flip me so easily?" he asked while I laughed
"Years of training Sasu" I said
"Are you stronger then Itachi" He asked
"I didn't spare with Itachi so I wouldn't know" I answered him shrugging my shoulders than I looked at him and realized he was hurting and he was angry at me
"Why so angry?" I said
"You could've stopped Itachi from massacring our clan, but you decided to do something that was far less important than our family!" Sasuke shouted while Shikazu almost fell with accusation that he heard from the kids voice every word was a accusation towards me.
I stood there silent for a moment than responded with renewed venom " I didn't know something terrible was happening at home if I had known I would've been here to stop it so don't go accusing me for something I didn't know was happening"
Sasuke eyes softened "I'm sorry it's just that..."
"I know how it feels Sasu I do. I know getting revenge is your top priority and I'm not going to get involved in that, but what I have to say is that think it through and make the right decision making the wrong ones always leads to regret something I don't what you to have on your shoulders" I said
Shikazu looked at me 'Regret?' his mind thought did she regret something in her life? What was it? Was it Cho or him? Shikazu didn't know and he was concerned. Sasuke and I talked a little bit more and he left to get something to eat I sighed deeply and plopped down onto the ground Sasuke was troubled and I knew it there had to be some way to help him ease up on the anger and hatred, but that took self-control the self-control I knew he didn't have at least for that I stood back up and turn to my teammates " I'm going to get barbeque" and I left.
Shikazu straightened up and stretched it was about time to visit his brother he turned to Cho "you coming?"
"Yep" was all he replied to before digging into his new open bag of chips.
