Chapter 11: new leader

I heard it.

She's back. She looked a bit worn out, but still, she was so pretty.

My hands gripped strongly the tree trunk that hide my presence. Only my head peeked from the tree as I stared at the red-haired woman that arrived into the Konoha gate accompanied by Senju Tobirama and other three young ninjas. Takahiro's father, Kon, was already there, probably he wanted to greet his goddaughter after she finished her first mission after such a long time.

I bit my lower lip as I stared at her more than it was healthy. Why am I so obsessed with this woman? Why do I feel like I need her presence in day and night? I feel strange vibrations in my stomach when I see her. I feel really weird, but why? Who is she exactly?

"Training to become a spy?"

My thoughts were interrupted by familiar voice. I turned my head over my shoulder and there he was, with his so Hokage-like smile. "Akio-kun?" I muttered more for myself than for him. "Why are you here?"

I watched him shrugged. "I just passed by, you?"

I peeked in Yuko's direction once more, it was just quick glance, but it seemed that Akio caught my eyes. "Uchiha Yuko." He said, causing that my eyes snapped back at him. "I knew it!" He smiled brightly. "So you really want to become a spy, Ishi-chan?"

"What are you saying?" I pursed my lips at the young boy. "I just had nothing to do and it's just happened that I passed by when they came back." I glanced at him by the corner of my eye, did he believed it?

"Oh, I see." Akio smiled, yes, he believed. "Do you want to come with me and Hiro-kun to grab something to eat?"

I shook my head. "I have to go back to hospital." I turned my back on him and raised my hand into the air. "Maybe next time."

...

Even though she lost something really important to her, Yuko felt to be satisfied with her mission when she entered Konoha gate. Her eyes scanned quickly people around her and she was a bit surprised when she found that as a guard at the gate is the same Uchiha man which usually been watching over the gate into the Uchiha compound. This man never paid any attention to her. When she saw him last time?... Oh sure, she grimaced slightly, when she headed off to find Setto Yoake-kun. Yuko chuckled to herself, all those memories seems like a dream now.

"Yuko." Her thoughts were interrupted. "Welcome back."

When her eyes fell on his form her lips created a light smile. Kon didn't changed at all over the past five years. Sure, there was few visible wrinkles, but after all he looked exactly as she saw him last time. "Captain Kon!" Her words finally made their way out. Before she could say anything else Kon hugged her.

Her eyes slightly widened over the sudden rush of warmness that spread inside her stomach. Yuko chuckled inwardly and without hesitation she reached her arms to lock them around godfather's waist. "I'm home." Her whisper caused him to smile. More and more, until his lips held the wide bright smile while his eyes were tightly shut.

For Kon, it was unbelievable moment. Even though he always prayed for her to wake up, he would never imagined that this day can actually come true. And now, there he stood with her in his arms. He felt like he's going to cry at any minute, but he held his composure firmly.

Finally he felt like he could be able to look into Heiwa's eyes. His best friend placed his daughter into Kon's care, but he felt like he failed. Now this liberating feeling seemed like something inside him was lit with hope once again. This time...his grip on Yuko tightened. "This time, I'm going to protect you."

Yuko's eyes softened. "I know." She whispered. "I was such a spoiled brat, but this time I'm gonna do better." She smiled widely. Is this that feeling like when you have a loving father? It feels so good...

"Sorry to interrupt such a emotional moment, but we have to report the results of this mission to my brother." Tobirama cleared his throat slightly, looking away.

"Oh, sure." Kon chuckled and released his goddaughter from his embrace. "I'll see you later."

"Un." Yuko nodded with smile, then her eyes found the intense stare behind one of the tree trunk. She narrowed her eyes when she found a child with dark short hair. Yuko's heart skipped a beat when she realized that it was her daughter.

Ishi was just leaving, but does she came to look at her? Did she come to greet her mother? Uchiha kunoichi sighed, don't be stupid, she thought, Ishi don't even knows who you are. Yuko knew that she just imagine her wishes, but still, the little hope that her daughter is interested in her was so exciting.

The woman behind Yuko's back cleared her throat. "Welcome back."

Red-haired woman turned around. "Reiko!" She breathed out. "Is that really you, Reiko?"

Black-haired kunoichi suddenly burst out in a cry, hiding her face into her palms. "I'm sorry, Yuko! It was my fault!"

"What are you saying, Reiko?!" Yuko took one slow step towards her crying friend. "What was your fault? I don't understand." Brownish-eyed woman wore a puzzled expression.

"If I only...If I-" Reiko sobbed her words into her hands. "If I had been better friend for you, you would never feel so lonely and...I'm sorry!"

Yuko hung her head and loosened her shoulders. Within few seconds her body began to tremble, the soft laugh started to escape her rosy lips until she erupted in a loud laugh. Reiko snapped her confused gaze on her laughing friend. Tobirama looked surprised, too.

"You're idiot!" Yuko laughed hystericaly and pointed with her finger on Reiko. "Look at you! So pathetic!"

"What!" Reiko frowned and pressed her fists. "What's wrong with you Yuko?!" She shouted with flushed face. "I'm trying to apologise to you and-!"

"Are you dumb?" Yuko finally calmed her laugh down. "Why are you trying to apologize for something that was never concern with you?"

"Huh-?" Reiko blinked in confusion and watched as Yuko reached her hand out and placed it on her shoulder.

"I always considered you as my friend." Yuko smiled gently. "Oh hell, I think that you were my only one friend." There she chuckled. "I'm the one who should apologize. If I only been more honest and open with you I wouldn't end up this way. Sometimes we can't do everything by ourselves. Finally I realized that relying on our friends doesn't mean that we are weak."

"Yuko." Reiko smiled. "You are-"

"That's why-" Yuko interrupted her friend. "Stop being such an annoyance and let's spend more time together, you got it, my friend?"

Both girls laughed, then Reiko nodded with smile. "I got it!"

...

Yuko and Tobirama climbed up to stairs, slowly. With the corner of her eye Yuko examined stern expression of her Senju companion. When she said her farewell with Reiko, the black-haired kunoichi wanted to greet her partner, too, but Tobirama rudely rejected her with words like: don't have a time for you.

Yuko narrowed her eyes. It's amazing that their relationship lasted for five years now, but she felt something cold from Tobirama's side. "Hey Senju!" She stopped in her tracks and locked her gaze with his ruby eyes.

"What is it?"

"I don't know what happened between you and Reiko, but if you break her heart, I'll break your neck, understand?" She paid a lot of attention to the tone of her voice, Yuko wanted to make it as a clear threat for him.

"Understand." He replied simply. "If you don't understand then don't interfere in us." He then turned around and started to walk again.

"How dare you-!" Yuko growled under her breath and followed right behind him.

...

Within few minutes they reached Hashirama's office. Tobirama knocked on the door. "Excuse us, we're going in." He pulled the door open and Yuko lazily stepped in behind him.

Her eyes found another two people there. The very old man with bald head and closed eyes sat in the chair opposite the Hokage's desk. His wrinkled hands were folded in his lap. Another man stood by the old man's side. Yuko's eyes widened when the first thing that she noticed on the young red-haired man was a small tattoo on his cheek. No, it wasn't a tattoo, it was a seal. This seal should leading him to his destiny.

"Who are you?" Her words uncontrollably escaped her lips. Yuko held the strong gaze with young man, probably in her age. His eyes were dark and narrow, his hair were dark red with the lenght on his shoulders, the top of his hair were tied in ponytail. In his left ear he wore one single golden circle with a horn-like pendant.

"Ryota." He spoke finally after a brief examination of Uchiha kunoichi. "Netto Ryota."

"Netto!" Yuko blurted out in a clear surprise.

"You're really quick, aren't you?" Tobirama remarked bitterly under his breath, his narrowed eyes search for explanation in Hashirama's face. Shodai Hokage rose from his chair and cleared his throat in vast attempt to ease up the tense atmosphere that ruled in his office.

"Well, you're back safely as I see." He smiled towards his younger brother and Uchiha kunoichi. "How did it go?"

"Why are members of Netto clan here?" Yuko rudely interrupted. Hashirama heard pure impatience from her voice.

"Is that her?" The old man spoke in a cracked voice. Even though his eyes were closed his face was turned to Yuko's direction.

Hashirama sighed loudly than he even planned. "Well...yes." His eyes said something strange, Yuko knitted her eyebrows when she tried to recognize what kind of expression Hashirama wore. "This is Uchiha Yuko." His hand pointed on confused kunoichi.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Her voice grew with concern. "And who the hell are you old man?" Her brown eyes snapped at the wrinkled man who tried to rose from his seat.

"You should choose your words more wisely, Yuko-sama." Ryota spoke indignantly.

"Yuko-sama?" Kunoichi's eyebrows shot up.

"Katashi-sama is oldest member of our clan." Ryota explained with hidden admiration. "His wisdom and justness accompanies our clan for decades. Thanks to his leadership skills Netto clan was able to survive until today."

"To put it simply..." Yuko placed her hands on her hips. "You're the leader of the Netto clan."

Katashi just nodded quietly.

"You should tame your naughty tongue!" Ryota barked all of sudden. "How dare you speaking with Katashi-sama with this tone?" The young man was stopped with Katashi's shaking hand.

"Enough, Ryota-kun." His old tiny lips created apologetical smile.

"Come on everyone." Hashirama raised his hands with polite smile. "No need to be rough, right?" The sweat ran down his temples. "Please, everyone sit down and let's discuss this matter with cool head."

"Discuss about what?" Yuko arms under her breasts. "Can someone explain it? I'm really tired, this mission was hard, not physically but emotionally, okay? I want to rest-"

"Yuko." Tobirama's voice interrupted her complains. "Sit down."

"Huh-?" She blinked, was this an order from him? Without any other word she did as she was told.

"Yuko-sama let me explain." Katashi sat back into his seat with Ryota's help. He spoke slowly, so Yuko had to bit her lower lip in irritation. This explanation will surely take another years from her life. Old man probably sensed her doubts, he chuckled. "I'll make it quick." He smiled. "I feel that my time is running out. I no longer have the strength to lead this clan into the future." Katashi coughed slightly. "It's been such a long time." He chuckled as if he remembered all his time as a Netto leader. "Long time ago the new leader who should take my place after I'm gone was announced, but he's no longer here."

"Oh, I see." Yuko jumped into his speech. "You want me to find your missing leader?"

Katashi laughed with gruff voice. "Not really." He replied. "I guess you already found him...once." The old man slowly opened his eyes. Yuko quietly gasped when she found herself stared into dark lilac eyes. Those eyes were so familiar.

"Several years ago was Katashi-sama's great-grandson appointed as a new leader of our clan." Ryota continued with explanation. Then his dark eyes met Yuko's gaze. The light in his strong gaze suddenly darkened when he frowned. "Katashi-sama's great-grandson was Netto Shiro-sama!"

Yuko's eyes widened. She felt her heart pounded faster in her chest. "Sh-Shiro-?" She felt the stampede gripped her throat when she found her voice shaking. Her eyes read the sinister expression in Ryota's glance, is it a blame? Does he blame her for his death? "What-" Yuko rose abruptly from her chair, followed by worried Hashirama.

"Are you okay, Yuko?" Shodai didn't hide his concern.

Kunoichi turned to Katashi. "What exactly do you want? What's the reason of your visit?" She breathed fast, her fists clenched tightly. "Are you looking for culprit?"

"Now that you mention it." Ryota took one portentous step towards kunoichi. "Kawa-sama lost her life in Uchiha's hands, too." Another step towards her. Why is she so nervous suddenly? "Uchiha Madara never gave us proper explanations of their death."

"I hope you're not suggesting that Yuko is the one who did it?" Hashirama interrupted Ryota's speech with slightly irascible voice.

"Ryota-kun." Katashi admonished passionate young man.

Red-haired man exhaled to calm himself. "Of course I'm not saying something like this, Hashirama-sama." Then he bowed slightly to Uchiha kunoichi. "My deepest apology, Yuko-sama."

Yuko sighed and massaged her temples. "Well, then what do you want? Say it already."

"You're a widow of my great-grandson." Katashi explained. "You were born to lead my great-grandson to his destiny and so shared the fate of his life. You were destined to lead our clan by his side."

Yuko frowned. "Cut this crap already and tell me what you want."

Katashi chuckled. "Take your responsibility of Netto clan as a new leader."

"What?!" Yuko stared at the old man with mouth ajar. "No way." She blurted bluntly.

"Why, you-!" Ryota stepped closer to Yuko and locked his angry gaze with her. "It's Uchiha's fault that we lost the head of our clan, so at least take the responsibility! It's your duty to do this!"

Yuko clicked her tongue, outraged. "Well then take that responsibility on your shoulders, Ryota! Something telling me that you wis more than anyone to be honored with this title."

"Wh-what are you saying?!" Ryota's eyes widened. "It's your duty-"

"My ass!" Yuko snorted. "Find someone else in your clan."

"But-" Ryota tried to protest, but was interrupted.

"That's fine, Ryota-kun." Katashi rose from his seat slowly. "I expected this kind of answer." He stepped closer to Yuko, his eyes closed again. "I can't force you to do something you don't wish for."

"Thank you." Yuko said dryly.

"But, could you please return the Netto's clan red moon?" Katashi outstretched his old arm and held the open palm in front of Yuko.

"Red moon?" She repeated, her face confused.

"Yes, the necklace which Kawa wore." Katashi nodded his head.

"Oh, but-" Yuko sheepishly smiled and scratched the back of her neck. "I don't have it."

"What?!" Ryota was charged again. "What a foolishness is this?! Do you realize what you're saying, stupid woman!"

"Ah, where's my honorific name?" Yuko growled. "What are you? Typical tsundere?"

"This is not time for jokes!" Ryota barked. "Where is it?"

"Red moon is passed in our clan for generations." Katashi spoke calmly.

"Well," Yuko shrugged, "You said that I'm a part of your clan, so I passed it on my generation."

"That's rude." Tobirama remarked.

"You!" Kunoichi snapped her eyes on him. "If you don't understand, then don't interfere!" Tobirama just raised his white eyebrow lazily, while Hashirama wondered if something happened between those two on their mission.

"You have to give it back." Ryota said indignantly.

"Okay." Yuko sighed. How heartbreaking to ask Ishi to give the present from her back. This will not be really impressive, Yuko cursed inwardly. "If I give it to you back, will you leave me alone?"

"Sure." Ryota nodded with sinister grin. "With red moon we won't need your presence anymore. The new leader will be resurrected."

"What?" Yuko frowned. "What do you mean resurrected?"

"With the red moon we will bring back my great-grandson." Katashi explained. "And he will lead our clan to the future."

Her heart started to beat faster. Her vision gone blurry. "You...no way! You mean..." The image of silver-haired man with lilac eyes flashed through her head. His smooth voice almost melt her memories. "Resurrect Shiro!"

Yosh, finally I'm back!

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