Both of the teams had already arrived in Sunagakure, and were preparing to escort the ambassador and his assistant to Konoha. Kozakura rushed over to find Fumiko and her team, to warn them of the ambassador's subordinate. But the assistant knew of Kozakura's presence. He told the teams that he would be back soon, and that he would have to handle something within the village. As Kozakura raced to catch up to them, the subordinate suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.

"You're not going anywhere," he announced.

Kozakura gasped as he took off the mask he was wearing. Standing right in front of her was the sibling of her mother. "Is it true— that you're the one who killed my mother?" she questioned him. She narrowed her eyes as they filled with hatred and revenge.

"What are you planning to do?" Kozakura asked, recalling the note she had found. "Are you going to betray the ambassador?"

"Well, it looks like someone's finally caught on." He gave her a nasty grin. "Too bad you won't live to speak of it." He then slashed her mercilessly with his sword, and she fell to ground, wincing in pain. As she fell to the ground, she gave her last thoughts.

Mother... father. Forgive me. I got so caught up with the past and revenge that it had blinded me, taking over my actions. I just wish I got the chance to say goodbye.

Kozakura lay there, slowly losing motion in her body until she became nothing more than a lifeless, stone cold corpse.

The ambassador's subordinate then returned, managing to cover any evidence of blood. Both the teams left for Konoha, but they had stopped once again when nighttime started to lurk. Fumiko started to get a sickening feeling in her stomach.

Minato-sensei had left to gather food, so they were left with only one other adult guarding them. Suddenly, a large group consisting of at least 20 Sand ninja attacked then. The subordinate restrained Kushina-sensei, and large group of ninja surrounded all the genin and chunin. What's going on? Betrayal? But... why?

Kushina-sensei had in fact not been restrained; though. She was merely using a shadow clone, and with a loud poof, her clone dispersed. This left the opponent open to a counterattack. She created a seal-like structure in the palm of her hand, and as the seal came in contact, it binded him and restricted his movements. He collapsed onto the ground, struggling to surpass the binding seal with his strength, but ultimately failing.

At this point, Kushina had dealt with most of the enemy ninja with Minato, who had quickly arrived back once he had heard of the ambush. The genin were ordered to escape with the ambassador, while Kushina and Minato would follow shortly after. But before they could get to safety, they were attacked yet again. This time, there were 17 shinobi surrounding them. Backup, of course. The ninja attacked them all at once; they threw a series of kunai at them, enfolded with paper bombs. As one of the kunai nearly hit Fumiko, she was forced to dodge at the last second.

Byakugan

As Fumiko awakened her Byakugan, she realized that there were hidden paper bombs set everywhere, ready to set off. They were no match for these ninja, and all of them knew that.

"Everyone, take the ambassador and go!" Akemi yelled. "I'll handle this."

"But there's no way—" Fumiko exclaimed.

"Well, fire ignites these paper bombs, right?"

"Akemi, you aren't seriously planning on—"

Obito was shocked to hear this. "Akemi?"

The rest of them looked sorrowful as they realized Akemi's sacrifice, even Kakashi, who was always a bit distant with everyone. Taishiro looked especially hurt, yet he tried everything he could to hide this.

Fumiko was about to run towards Akemi before Obito stopped her. He had promised to protect her, and he wasn't about to break that promise. They all started to retreat, and Obito had to drag Fumiko away from danger as she struggled to break from his grasp.

Akemi weaved the hand signs for the jutsu. Katon: Gōkakyū no jutsu, he said as he exhaled fire from his mouth.

"Akemi, no!" Fumiko yelled as tears trickled down her face.

With a loud bang, the explosions set off. All the 17 surrounding shinobi lay there, dead. Akemi had been knocked a great distance from the explosion. He lay there unconscious, with blood gushing everywhere, and his body desperately clinging onto life. Without medical attention, he was sure to die. But there was a medic in their group. Rin rushed to the area in order to heal him, knowing that he was still alive. She could barely hold back her tears. Kushina and Minato arrived, but they were a second too late.

"Akemi," Kushina said. "I'm sorry."

Fumiko met up with Shisui after the mission, like she had promised. Akemi had been hospitalized, but it was too late for Kozakura. She was filled with sorrow to have found out about her death. Fumiko felt increasingly guilty because of the outcome of her mission.

"Did something bad happen?" Shisui asked. He noticed Fumiko's sorrowful looks.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

Fumiko never wanted to push Shisui away; he had become a trusted friend of hers. Nonetheless, she just couldn't find the words to express herself. She felt empty inside, and she blamed everything on herself.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

She hesitated for a second. "Shisui... I failed to protect my comrades."

It had now started to rain a bit, as if the sky was mourning as well. She looked up, and the sky was dark and gloomy. Kozakura, I wonder if the sky is mourning for you.

"It wasn't your fault, I promise. It may seem like it is, but as long as you tried your best, that's all that matters."

"But, I'm just scared of losing everyone I care about," Fumiko said. Just the thought of this made her uneasy.

"Hey, if something like that ever happens, I'll be there for you no matter what," Shisui reassured her.

"Really?" Fumiko said as she looked up at Shisui.

"Of course. You're my friend."

Thank you, Shisui. Now, I finally understand the true value of friends.