A/N1: Thanks to my wonderful reviewer something541 for the continuous support.
Disclaimer:I do not own anything related to Naruto.
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It wasn't until a full month had passed after Sasuke's release from the hospital that Jiraiya and Naruto came back in the company of Tsunade and her apprentice, Sizune.
The news of the arrival of the next Hokage brought a great deal of excitement to all the citizens of Konoha. Tsunade not only was the 1st's granddaughter and one of the Sanin, but also a master medical ninja of exceptional talent. So, it wasn't much of a surprise that it only took her a few moments to bring Kakashi back from his coma.
As soon as Naruto set his foot back in the village he frantically sought out his team mates and was overjoyed in seeing Sasuke up and about. Sasuke's arm was completely healed by then but that didn't stop Naruto from almost dragging him by force to Tsunade.
The arrival of the new Hokage made a great difference to the ambiance of the village. A big celebration was organized to welcome the person whose presence brought new life and hope to Konoha…for everyone but Sasuke.
In the few days of living under the same roof Ame had seen his troubled and brooding expression but his mood had seemed to lighten a bit as days went by (it was barely noticeable mind you).Sakura had confirmed that in fact he seemed a bit less preoccupied and Ame was glad to see that perhaps there was still some hope for him. However, that slight change evaporated the minute he saw Naruto. It was like a switch had been turned on.
With Kakashi up an about the team seemed ready to set out on other missions but that wasn't really the case. The war with the Sand-Sound had weakened Konoha's forces significantly, so all the available and particularly, the high ranking ninjas were required to go out on missions. Kakashi, being one of the best, had a lot of S-rank missions to perform, which kept him from his teaching duties. However, seeing as the rest of team7 was not consisted of powerless ninjas, Tsunade sent them in a mission by themselves, much to Ame's dismay.
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A few days after the Fifth had settled to her new residence Ame received summons to Tsunade's office. There she was introduced formally to the new Hokage and was not surprised to discover that she was meeting privately with her. Ame had imagined that Sarutobi would have left some information concerning her and her real abilities in order to keep his successor informed and as she found out from Tsunade, her assumption was correct.
"I was looking at the files left behind by the previous Hokage and came across an interesting file…yours. As I understand you have some special abilities that permit you to act as an ANBU but without being actually a member of the unit," said Tsunade but her tone was a questioning one.
"Yes Hokage-sama. Your predecessor and I had come to that arrangement that allowed me to live as I wanted while permitting me to use my particular talents should a mission would require them."Ame answered.
"So you have never wished to advance to the ranks of the jonin or officially join the ANBU?" Tsunade asked with one eyebrow raised.
"Indeed I have not. After all my abilities in certain fields are really poor, as you have probably seen from my file," Ame explained.
"Though I agree that your inability to use but the most basic chakra based techniques is problematic, however your taijutsu is exceptional and you have that unique eye technique that sets you in the jonin league. I don't want to pressure you though so I will keep the arrangement you had with the Third though we could really use your abilities outside of just assassination missions. I will respect that Sandaime wanted this agreement to remain intact" Tsunade said and her statement relieved Ame greatly.
"Now, on another note Tsurugi-san, I understand the council has assigned you to watch over Uchiha Sasuke."Tsunade's words were more of a statement than a question but Ame nodded in ascent.
"I agree that we must keep an eye on him but not because he is the sole Uchiha and thus he is very valuable to the village, as is the wish of the council, but because he might be targeted by Orochimaru again and that will put him in danger as well as his companions," Tsunade concluded.
"Now, aside from all that I do have a mission to assign to you. Your particular skills are required and it is an assassination but it won't take you too long. You will probably be back before team 7 returns from their own mission," Tsunade said while handing her the scroll that contained the particulars of the assignment.
"Yes Godaime-sama," Ame said as she took the scroll.
She excused herself with a bow and left to prepare. She was a bit irritated that Team seven was sent on a mission without Kakashi, especially since both Tsunade and the elders thought that Sasuke was in such a great need of protection. But Ame knew it would be useless to debate with the Hokage since, she had already reached her decision. So, she simply resigned herself to doing her duty of keeping Sasuke under a watchful eye when he returned.
Little did she know that those few days of that mission would become a turning point.
oOo TBC oOo
A/N2: This is it. For some reason it took me a lot of time to write this and even more to read and re-read it. There might be some mistakes I have missed if so feel free to point them out. I would appreciate any reviews from those that do read this, since the whole purpose is for me to improve my writing and without reviews I can't do that.