Hi, it's me again! This one took longer because this chapter is were the story really starts to kick off.

The three exited the main branch house, Ayana was hoping that they wouldn't run into Hayato. But lucky for her he was no where in sight.

However, when they reached the exit of the district they were stopped by one of the clan's members. "Lady Ayana, where are going?" the man asked as he bowed his head.

"Oh there is nothing you need to be concerned of, I'm just taking these two to Akasaku" Ayana said politely.

"I see, well be careful out there. I heard their were several rogue ninja's lurking around that area"

"(Chuckles) Don't worry, I'll be fine"

"I'm just saying, you are naot a ninja and you're chil-"

"I said I'll be fine, thank you!" Ayana said getting slightly annoyed with the man. She brushed past him while holding her childrens' hands. When they left the district Ayana began to bad mouth the man.

"Telling me to be careful, who does he think he is? Does he really think that because I'm not a ninja I can't handle myself? Such delusions really piss me off!"

"Mom, calm down it doesn't matter anymore" Satoshi said trying to calm his mother down.

Ayana sighed as they continued walking. "Mom, is what that guy said true? You know, about the rogue ninja's?" Mebuki asked. "I don't know, but don't worry we're fine, it's very rare to run into any enemy ninja in these parts"

"But what about what you said? You said you weren't a trained ninja, is that true?"

Ayana sighed, hoping they would reach the village soon. "Yes that is true, the thing is I didn't grow up in a shinobi family. My family were all civilians. Not only that, but Akasaku didn't have an academy or training system like some of the more prominent villages."

"Then how did you marry dad?"

Ayana couldn't help but cringe at her daughter's question. Was she questioning the marriage between her and Hayato?

"That is not important right now. Why are you asking such questions?"

"I don't know really, I just..."

"Look, up ahead! I can see the roof of buildings!" Satoshi said pointing at the buildings ahead.

Ayana looked and immediately recognized the buildings.

It was a very busy day at the village as it appeared, all the shops were open, people were walking in the roads, and the market stalls were all set up.

"Hey mom can we get some of those manti dumplings?" Mebuki asked.

"Sure, but how about we walk around town first? I haven't been here in a while and I would like to see if anything's changed."

"Okay, but could we visit Mei-san?"

"If she's home"

The three then headed for the market area, it wasn't like the ones in the major villages like Iwagakure. The items that were sold in the market place, aside from food, were all hand made. Ayana knew this because her family use to own a shop before she married Hayato. But after her parent's death, Mei decided to close the shop and start a new business with her husband.

But aside from that, the village itself was rather small. On one side was all the houses the villagers lived in, while the rest was used for shops, office buildings, and the market.

The entire day was mostly spent checking out all the shops and stalls. At around 4:00 the kids started to complain about their hunger and they went get manti dumplings.

After they were done eating, they headed over to Mei's house. When they arrived, Ayana knocked on the door and heard someone walking towards it.

"Who is it?"

"Mei it's me, Ayana"

"Without hesitation, Mei quickly unlocked the door before swinging it open and wrapping her arms around her sister.

"Where have you been?!"

"Mei!"

"Seriously, how come you don't visit anymore?!"

"Mei I was here, like, three months ago"

"I know, but it felt like a year!"

Mei then noticed Mebuki and Satoshi. "Oh, and you brought the little ones with you this time?" She bent down and gave them both a hug.

"Wow, you two have grown. How old are you now?"

"I'm five!" Satoshi said proudly.

"And I just turned seven!"

"Oh it's your birthday, right Mebuki?"

Mebuki nodded her head in reply.

"Well come in, we need to catch up on some Recent events"

The three walked inside as Mebuki and Satoshi headed towards Mei's backyard garden. "Where's Lee?" Ayana asked. "He's out right now, he should be back in a week from now."

"Oh"

"Okay, tell me!"

"What?!"

"Tell me!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't know, tell me"

"I have no idea what your talking about, I swear!"

"(Sigh) I'm sorry, it's just I'm slightly upset by you're lack of visits lately"

"That's why you're mad? Because I don't visit very often anymore?"

"Well, it's more than that. I'm also very worry, is their something going on?"

Ayana looked at the ground. Ever since Hayato became head of the clan, he barely has anytime to spend with his family. And now she's worried that things will be like this forever.

"There are a lot of problems with Hayato"

"Like what?"

"Well...He just, doesn't seem like the same man I fell in love with years ago"

"Why do you say that?"

"He is just so caught up in his work that we barely see him. The only time I do get to speak with him is when he is discussing plans about different things"

"Is there a reason for why he didn't show up?"

"Yeah, he's having a meeting with the elders about the future of the clan"

"What?! He missed out on his daughter's birthday to talk about plans?!"

"Mei, calm down"

"I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous!"

Mei noticed the sad expression on her sister's face, she knew something was terribly wrong.

"Hey..."

"There's something else that bothers me"

"Hayato also mentioned about discussing the future heir with the elders, and since the Haruno clan choose their heirs by age, I'm afraid that..."

"They plan on making Mebuki the heir" Mei finished Ayana's sentence.

"Yeah, and while most people would see it as an honor, I am rather fearful. Do you have any idea how harsh and cruel the training methods are? And if the heir does not live up to the clan's standards they will be stripped of their title and looked it as a disgrace. I don't want Mebuki to endure the humiliation and pressure from that!"

"I can't determine what will happen. But, if that does happen the only thing you can do is be there for her"

"But, what about Satoshi?"

"Same thing for him. But, if things are That bad why don't you take the kids and leave?"

"What? Are you crazy? I can't do that!"

"Well desperate times come desperate measures"

Ayana thought about what her sister said, maybe it could work. But what would happen if they were caught? Defection was another way of treason and the consequences are far too cruel to even imagine! Not only that, but how could she convince Satoshi and Mebuki? The Haruno clan was their home, the were far too young to understand.

But that wasn't even the worst part, she was still in love with Hayato. Even if he is a different person she couldn't bare the thought of leaving him. How could she convince her two children if she couldn't even convince herself?

The two started talking about other recent events that happen, moving on from their previous subject. Ayana looked over at the clock on the wall.

'5:29'

"It's getting late, we have to go"

"What? Why? I was planning on making you guys dinner"

"(Chuckle) Thanks, but we have to go it's going to get dark soon and it's not safe to travel at night"

"Okay"

Ayana walked down the hall looking for the two.

"Mebuki? Satoshi?"

She walked further down the hall. "Satoshi? Mebuki? Where are you?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind her. "Yes momma?" Ayana practically jumped at the sudden sound of her son's voice.

"Satoshi, you scared me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry"

"Where's you're sister?"

"I don't know, she said she was going to the bathroom not too long ago. But I checked and she wasn't in there"

Ayana didn't say anything else, she just grabbed Satoshi's hand and began searching the house. "Hey, what you looking for?"

"Mei, have you seen Mebuki anywhere?"

"Oh yeah, she just left outside. She seemed pretty upset thought. Is something wrong"

"Why is she outside?"

"I don't k-.."

Ayana just brushed past her sister while she was in mid-sentence. "Uhh, bye?"

When Ayana walked outside she found her daughter standing there waiting. "Mebuki! Don't do that, you had me worried sick!"

"Come on, let's go" Mebuki said bitterly.

"What's wrong with you?"

"It doesn't matter! Can we go now?"

'What is up with her all of a sudden?'

The trio then left the village and into the woods back the clan district.

Okay, that's it for now! PLEASE let me know what you think! :)