Chapter 7: The Secret Mission

I was summoned to the Hokage's office the following morning. My parents offered to accompany me. "Shikara, we can walk you there." My mother said, she seemed a little worried. Daddy stood beside her with an expression that I couldn't explain. He also seemed concerned yet he was doing his best to hide it.

I had a small smile. "No, that's okay. Though I'm always happy to have help from my family and friends, there are some things that I must do on my own." I looked to my parents confidently. "I'll be fine." I'm freaking out right now...straight face, straight face, keep smiling.

My parents seemed to relax a little. "Okay, let us know how it goes." Dad said.

"I will." I waived them bye and started making my way to my destination.

When I arrived and entered the building, I felt a little nervous. What's going to happen now that I don't have a team? Will I be in trouble for running off that day to save my friends? I hope Kata is doing better...I approached the Hokage's office door and paused a moment before giving it a light knock and then the Hokage's voice called from inside.

"You may enter!" I took a breath and opened the door, peeking inside and taking a few steps in. The Hokage greeted me. "Shikara, I was expecting you." There were three others dressed in Anbu attire, one I recognized watched me as I came closer and knelt in respect to the Hokage.

"Good morning, Lord Hokage." I said making eye contact with him.

"Rise, Shikara." He said and I did, peering over at the others curiously, then back at the Hokage. "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here."

"Yes, sir."

He sighed. "I have both good news and bad." He looked at me gingerly. "I received terrible news that your other team member, Kata, has passed away due to her injuries." I looked down at the ground hearing this with a sullen expression. I did my best to stay composed but tears started to well up. "I'm sorry to have to inform you of this...however I have good news, too, and something you must decide on your own." I blinked the tears away and looked back up at the Hokage.

"These three here are of the Anbu black ops division. If you're willing, I would like you to go under their wings and train to become a part of my own personal protectors."

I gasped, looking to each of the three. "Sir! I am honored, however I am only a Genin! These here are all highly ranked shinobi who have earned their way through experience and hard work!"

The Hokage smiled. "Shikara, you have no team. Your sensei has dropped out of the leadership roll to continue missions of his own and you are already far more skilled than any of your ranking. I have no doubt that you will make a recognizable addition to the elite shinobi of the hidden leaf. And...I need you as my right hand insider to protect the people and keep this village connected to one-another."

"Sir, I don't understand..."

The others seemed to turn to the Hokage as well with as much question as myself. "There seems to be a division happening within the leaf. I am assigning you a very difficult task." The Hokage continued. "Will you be my shadow, along with these shinobi to accomplish a goal?"

They all turned to me and I composed myself. I looked to each one. "This cannot be a decision of my own..." I bowed my head to the Anbu ninja and asked, "Will you accept me as your pupil, take me under your wing and train me to protect everyone accordingly?" They all looked to one another silently, then one stood and walked over to me. I felt incredibly nervous.

"Shikara Yukina, yes?" He asked behind his mask. I simply gave a nod. "I'll accept you but as we all had to, you must prove your worth." I looked up at him, shocked and the others joined him.

"I accept you as well." A female voice proclaimed.

"I will as long as you work for it." Said the other.

"Then it's settled!" The Hokage proclaimed.

I bowed to the Anbu, "Thank you," and returned my focus to the Hokage.

"You will be trained under them until you become a Jonin." Lord Third said with a serious expression. "Also... Shikara... your new position shall not be revealed to anyone. That includes your family and friends."

I gave him a confused look. "Yes, sir..."

"You are all excused." The Hokage dismissed us.

When we were outside I turned to the familiar Anbu that appeared to be the leader. "Do you know why the Hokage chose me for this? I should have been put into another team of my similar level..."

"Do you question Lord Hokage?" He asked.

"Don't you?" I replied with another question. I was very confused yet much more serious than the Anbu took me for.

They all appeared to exchange glances, then the man I was speaking to knelt down to my level. "I don't always agree with what has been decided, however we have been watching you for some time now. We are aware that you have a...gift...for learning quickly." He paused for a moment. "Lord Hokage intends for you to be an inside spy, not only within the Uchiha clan but also the rest of the village, as a way to prevent any possible revolts... We will train you to be his personal intel until you have become Jonin."

My eyes widened. "But...what happens after that?"

The man before me shook his head. "That we don't know as of yet." My breath caught for a moment and he observed my expression. "It's important that you keep this a secret. It is your duty to your Hokage and our village."

I gave a nod. "I understand. But how is this possible?"

"You will report to us every morning and start your training. You will have your parents and friends only know that you are training under us, nothing more. You will not tell them your secret mission: that you are an inside spy. That is all."

I blinked before tilting my head. I was still very confused and clearly nervous. "Um...okay, then..."

The man sighed. "Your first training will be focused on controlling your emotions and expressions. It's too obvious."

I regained my composure. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Now go home and gather your things. Training starts in two hours." With that he and his peers disappeared and I was left with more questions now than I had just moments ago.

Two hours, huh? I suppose I'm to meet back here...I turned and swiftly made my way back home. On my way, I nearly bumped into Izumi as I turned a corner. "Ahh!" I barely missed her. "Izumi, hi!"

"Oh, hello, Shikara." She seemed not-at-all happy to see me.

I wonder what's wrong? "Are you alright?" I asked, concerned for my friend.

She looked away. "Yes, I'm fine..."

My eyebrow lifted. "Really? I know you, Izumi. Something's up. We're friends right? You can talk to me..." I gave her a friendly smile. Her eyebrows knitted together and she squared up, boldly looking me in the eyes.

Is she mad at me!?

"You're in love with Itachi, aren't you?" I could hear the jealousy dripping from her tone. It was quite terrifying.

The question completely took me off guard and I turned beet-red. "Oh my gosh! Um, I...he's...we..." I felt a nervous sweat surfacing as I stammered to answer her. "I...don't know how...I feel...I really like him...but-"

"-but what!?" Izumi asked, frustrated. "Get it out already!"

My eyes were wide. I wasn't ready for this kind of girl-talk but I knew how to dissolve the issue. "Y-you like Itachi, Izumi?" My inner self congratulated me on turning the table.

She turned just as red as I was and hid by turning her gaze. "Well...I...l-"

I relaxed a little and smiled at her. "Hey, who wouldn't? He's really amazing, isn't he?" She looked at me, shocked. "It's okay, Izumi. You're my friend. If you like him, that's fine with me as long as you're happy!" Her jaw popped open and I put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I'm in a hurry, my life just took a huge turn and I have less than an hour and a half to report back to my squad."

"W-wait!" She turned to me as I began to walk away. "Your squad!?"

"Oh, yeah! I have so much to tell you! Can we talk later when I've finished training?" I laughed nervously, hoping that she'd stop being angry and return to being my friend.

"Um...okay. I'll see you later, then?" She seemed confused and I knew we would have to discuss her insecurities but for now I was just happy that she still wanted to talk to me.

"Yeah! I'll come find you later!" I gave her a waive and smiled before quickly continuing home. Oh, man...as if I didn't already have a lot on my plate, now this? I turned a little red thinking about what Izumi asked. I never thought about it before she said something! Aren't we too young for such things? I continued to wonder if it were normal to think about young love as I got home.

By the time I entered through the front door I was flustered and the redness returned to my cheeks. When I looked up to greet my mother...there he was...sitting with her and daddy at the dining table.

"Shikara, sweetie, Itachi is here for you." My mom said cheerfully.

Why is this happening? "Oh-uh..." I felt the flair of my cheeks and cleared my throat of the sudden dryness, "good morning, Itachi-sama." I greeted with a rather awkward smile and waive as I fumbled to close the door behind me. I could see in his eyes a questioning look, for my behavior and newly developed title for him was most unusual.

A slight smile appeared slowly upon his lips. "Have I come at a bad time, Shikara?" He was taking in my flustered expression and barely raised an eyebrow.

He is quite handsome, though, isn't he? I shook my head at the thought. My eyes narrowed and I managed to gather a calm demeanor as I pulled myself together. "Not at all!" I gave the best smile that I could muster. "I always enjoy seeing you!" I said sweetly as I gracefully took a seat with everyone. I then made a pouty face. "Actually, in truth, I don't have much time."

Mom and dad exchanged looks, then daddy piped in. "What do you mean? We haven't had the chance to ask about your meeting."

Itachi stared into my eyes as I nervously touched my pointer-fingers together. "Um...well...you see, I have a new squad now, I guess...and I start my training with them...soon." The last word came out more as a whisper.

Mom looked worried, "what about Kata?"

I silently peered down at the table, slumping a little. I never had the chance to say goodbye...

Daddy knew the look that shadowed my face and shook his head to mom as a signal of Kata's passing and she gasped. "Oh, no, I'm so sorry, sweetie!"

I gave a weak smile before standing up from the table. "It's okay, mom. My friends will live on in my heart...but I do apologize, I must prepare. Please excuse me." I gave Itachi my best smile again, "I promise to catch up with you soon, Itachi-sama." I teased him with the title again and made my way to my room as they all followed me with perplexed expressions.

I shut my door and leaned against it, head tilted back and murmured to myself, "sama...where did that come from?" I shook my head to clear my thoughts and quickly got myself ready for the trials ahead. Before exiting my room, I gave a sigh of relief to see that my parents were bidding Itachi farewell as he left. I decided to spare a few moments to make sure he was gone before fully exiting my room.

Daddy saw me trying to sneak out the side door, closest to our rooms. "Shikara." He called.

I stopped in my tracks and turned my head towards him. "Yes, daddy?"

One of his eyebrows raised. "Make sure to get in touch with Itachi. It's not often that he stops by like this...it seemed important."

I gulped. "Yes, daddy." Then I heard mom stifle a giggle as I continued on my way out. It's going to be a challenging day, this one.