Chapter 52: Return to the Leaf

The following day Shisui sent out a letter to the Hokage. It contained an explanation of just about everything from Shisui being alive, my innocence of being a criminal and Itachi protecting the leaf from the shadows. Two weeks passed before a hawk arrived while I was outside weeding the garden. I lifted my arm to let the large bird take flight again after taking the small, rolled up parchment and held the Hokage's reply in my hands.

"It finally came?" Shisui approached me, dripping in sweat. He had been working out at the training grounds and came just in time to see the hawk fly off.

I gave him a nervous nod before handing him the reply. "What does it say?"

He carefully opened it then slowly read the words and paused.

My head tilted curiously. "What is it, Shisui-sama?"

He blinked before turning his gaze to me. "We are being summoned to appear before the Hokage and her counsel... all of us."

I couldn't hide my anxiety as I peered down to the ground. Shisui lifted my chin and gave me a gentle smile. "I'll be by your side the whole way, Angel. No harm will come to you."

"I'm not worried for myself. I'm worried about you and Itachi."

He sighed and kissed my forehead. "It will be okay." I hoped his words were true. "Now... to contact Itachi..."

"We must be careful. His situation is complicated..."

"Not as complicated as the Hokage expecting us to believe the village will welcome us with open arms..." Itachi calmly approached us with a flat expression.

A smile spread over my lips. "Speak of the devil..." I murmured.

"This makes matters easier." Shisui commented with a slight grin.

"What will we do? Itachi-sama is right...we can't just waltz up to the village..."

"Sure we can." Shisui looked at Itachi who's eyes narrowed. "We will just have to be careful... for example... Itachi can't go looking like a serial killer and you..." his eyes gazed into my own, "...keep your light chakra in check."

My eyebrow lifted. "What about you, mister walking dead...? People who knew of you will be shitting themselves to see you walking around."

Itachi lost the flat expression and smirked. "She's right..."

Shisui sighed. "She is..."

I shook my head. "The only way I see this panning out is to arrive at the Hokage's residence unnoticed. Then we can make our presence known to the guards there and show them the letter from the Hokage."

"I've gone to the Leaf unnoticed before, it shouldn't be difficult." Itachi said cooly.

I couldn't believe how calm they both were about the situation. "Okay..." I turned towards the cottage. It was time to prepare. "I'll be ready soon."

They followed me inside and I disappeared into the room to pack a small bag and get dressed in my shinobi attire. Shisui was showered and ready to go my the time I had gotten myself together.

Itachi noticed that I was taking my sweet time. "Are you nervous?" He took my hand as we left the cottage and I peered up at him gloomily.

"I guess I am."

Shisui locked up the cottage and joined us. "We've got your back."

A smile spread over my lips and I peered into Shisui's eyes. "I have your back, too. Both of you."

It took us a day to get the the perimeter of the Village. My heart was racing as my nervousness grew. I wondered how the village had changed since I've been away or if it had changed at all. We silently made it over the wall and managed to get inside without being detected. We quickly made our way towards the Hokage's residence and we stopped to gather ourselves in the shadows of a wooded area near our destination.

"Are we ready?" Shisui asked, peering around a fence to eye the guards who were intently keeping watch.

I looked to Itachi nervously. Is it really okay for him or I to just walk up to them? I knew that if they chose to attack, I wouldn't hesitate to protect the men I love...even though I highly doubt that they needed it.

A look of seriousness crossed over me and Itachi smirked. "Don't do anything silly...Shikara...no matter what happens."

Itachi deeply cared for the village and knew he would have to remind me of that. I sighed and gave a nod. "Let's do this..."

We stepped out and slowly approached the guards. They drew their swords and my body tensed.

"Show is your hands!"

All three of us complied and they approached us cautiously. I couldn't blame them...we could easily destroy them...

"Remove your weapons!" One demanded.

I nervously looked to Shisui. He gave them a nod before removing his sword and Shuriken pack and dropped it to the ground. Itachi and I followed his lead. "Has Lady Hokage informed you of our summoning?" Shisui calmly asked.

One guard had us step back and away from our weapons before confiscating them and the other replied. "Yes. We are expecting you...but don't think we won't treat you any different from an enemy nation's visiting Shinobi."

Shisui gave a light nod and peered over at me. He saw that I had gone into mission mode and was not showing any kind of emotion. He held his hand out to me and I glanced up at him before slowly taking it. He wanted me to relax and allow them to see that I wasn't a threat.

I took a breath and smiled sweetly to the guards, shyly hiding part of myself behind Shisui. "Thank you. We will do as you instruct."

The guards looked to one-another in confusion. I certainly didn't appear to be a threat, though their bingo books said something very different. They turned their attention back to the three of us. "Alright, lets go..." one said before turning to the entrance. Just then four ANBU appeared and my eyes widened. I looked to Itachi who kept a cool demeanor. It appeared that they were only here to insure the safety of the village and their Hokage. We continued to follow the guards inside with the ANBU close behind.

We came to the hearing hall and paused. One of the guards knocked on the door and the Hokage's voice called from inside. "You may enter!"

The guards opened the doors for us and we slowly went inside, the ANBU placed themselves between us and on either side of Itachi and Shisui. There were more who lined the outer walls. We were definitely being treated as though we were a maximum threat. The three of us bowed to the floor before the Hokage and her council.

Lady Tsunade eyed us before she finally spoke. "This is... incredibly unusual..." she stood from her seat and approached us. "Shisui Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, and Shikara Yukina of the Uchiha clan... why have you requested an audience with myself and my council?"

...

Shisui knew he was be the only one who could speak without the air becoming more tense than it already was.

"Lady Tsunade, we have requested your audience so that we can prove our innocence and ask to return home and serve our village."

There was a long awkward pause and Shisui peered up at the Hokage. She was observing the three before her in deep thought.

"There's nothing to prove... Shisui."

His eyes widened and Shikara, along with Itachi looked up with question.

"The Third Hokage left information behind for the next ones in line to describe each of your circumstances... at least two of yours..." she was eyeing Itachi and Shikara now. "You two may be cleared and secretly known to be allies, however..." her eyes returned to Shisui, "you were known to be dead. How are you here?"

He gave Shikara a sideways glance and returned his gaze to the Hokage. Shisui didn't know how to answer and it showed.

"I brought him back, Lady Hokage..."

Shisui and Itachi's eyes widened as they quickly looked to Shikara. She wasn't to speak of her abilities because it could cause trouble for her.

Lady Tsunade's eyebrows knitted together. "How is this possible?" Everyone around the room seemed to look on in wonder.

Shikara slowly sat on her knees and calmly gazed up at the Hokage. "I come from a clan long since deceased, who had extraordinary abilities, my lady. I'm not sure how I did it but in a time of great turmoil I called to Shisui from beyond and summoned him."

Lady Tsunade knelt before her as a tear fell from Shikara's eyes. "Is this jutsu permanent?"

Shikara bowed her head. "I'm not sure, my lady...I truly hope so." Her last few words were a whisper.

"There was nothing on you being a medical ninja..."

Shikara gave a weak smile. "Far from it, I'm afraid."

Tsunade tilted her head. "We would like to learn more about you and your abilities, Shikara." She turned to Itachi with a more stern expression. "As for you...though the Third explained your situation...you still came to the leaf and attempted to capture Naruto."

The air became tense again.

"Lady Tsunade?" Shikara's sweet angelic voice called out. "Please... Itachi-sama never intended to actually capture the Kyuubi... he was only trying to keep face to gain intel on the Akatsuki..."

Lady Tsunade peered at Shikara and her sincere demeanor and sighed before turning back to Itachi. "Is this true?"

Itachi was now eyeing Shikara. She knew this whole time... He looked to the Hokage and nodded. "I only did what was necessary to gain intel."

"I see..." The Hokage turned to her counsel. "What do any of you make of this?"

They all seemed to turn to one-another and discussed this strange situation. They turned to her and a short dark haired woman spoke. "Lady Tsunade...though all of us here agree that they seem to be truly dedicated to the village, it's too early to come up with a decision."

"Hmmm..." Tsunade thought to herself for a moment before giving a slight smirk. "The truth is we are incredibly short handed..."

"Lady Tsunade!" The dark haired lady protested.

"We need more able bodies. I think it's time for the three of you to rejoin us. What do you think?"

...

My eyes widened in surprise. The village must be desperate for help if they were willing to take back two criminals and a living dead man.

"The three of you may return as long as you continue to serve and protect this village. However...until you've regained the trust of the others, you will be under close supervision."

Itachi seemed a little down as he bowed his head to the Hokage. "I must return to the Akasuki...Lady Fifth."

The air seemed to become thick again. Lady Tsunade pondered for a moment before giving a knowing nod. "You can't seem to leave just yet, I see."

"It's of great importance that I remain as a spy..."

"Itachi-sama..." I whispered. We are so close to being a part of the village and together again. Why must he go back to them?

The ANBU next to me was making me feel a little uncomfortable because I could tell he was staring at me.

"Very well..." the Hokage sighed. "Shisui, Shikara...after you've settled in you must report to me at my office. I will give you a week from now to do so.

Shisui bowed his head. "Thank you, Lady Hokage."

She turned to Itachi. "From now on, the best placement I can give you is as my personal secret operative. You will be known only amongst us as an ANBU... by the time you've returned I will have created a special division that only you will be in charge of." Everyone stared in in surprise. "Do you accept, Itachi Uchiha?"

He calmly gave a nod and bowed his head.

My head dropped in thought. This is a good thing, right? He will lead his own devision of the ANBU when he returns...it's a great honor... I opened my eyes and peered over at him. He really is amazing...

"Everyone is dismissed except for the three of you." Lady Tsunade declared.

Everyone around seemed reluctant to leave the Hokage here with us but eventually complied. I was still peering over at Itachi when the Hokage spoke again.

"The three of you have sacrificed so much for this village in the past...it amazes me that you chose to return." Her expression was soft. "I'm grateful to have such great shinobi rejoin us after all this time." To our surprise, Lady Tsunade bowed to us. "I know you will help me keep our village safe."

Shisui and I couldn't help but to smile and bow our heads.

"You three are dismissed." She straightened and gently smiled as we stood and bowed before leaving.

This is crazy. Did we really just get accepted back into the village? All of us? I felt a little overwhelmed as we exited the building and slowly walked together down the road.

Itachi turned to us. "I'll be leaving now."

My eyebrows creased. "Already, Itachi-sama?"

A light smile played across his lips. "Things are starting to become serious within the organization...I must be present." I felt myself slump a little in disappointment which he found amusing. "By the time I've returned I'll be hoping that you've done some planning of your own." His eyebrow raised as he poked my forehead and I couldn't help but to blush.

"Planning..." my eyes widened, realizing what he meant and Shisui chuckled.

"Maybe it will keep her busy...otherwise she'll be moping around like this last time..."

My blush deepened and I glared up at Shisui. "I was not!"

The two started to laugh and Itachi took Shisui's arm. "Take care of her."

"We'll make sure things are settled when you return. Take care of yourself, Itachi."

"Hm." Itachi gave Shisui a nod, then came to me and rested his forehead on mine. "Don't mope around while I'm away."

I sighed and gave him a sweet smile. "Come back soon."

With that he withdrew himself and poked my forehead. "See you soon." He vanished and I stared off down the road sadly.

Shisui put an arm around my shoulders. "Will you join me?"

I peered curiously up at him and tilted my head.

"It's been a while...I want to see our home..."

...

Shikara's gentle smile didn't hide the nervousness she felt, even though she gave Shisui a slight nod. "Let's go see our home, Shisui-sama."

The Uchiha residence was completely empty aside from the buildings. It looked more like a ghost town and Shikara's arms wrapped around Shisui's. Her eyes were sullen as they approached his house.

They paused at the door and Shisui peered down at her. "Ready?" She gave another slight nod and he opened the door.

To their amazement, it was left exactly how it was before he passed. A light smile played across Shikara's lips as she followed Shisui's lead. He took in a deep breath and smiled. "It feels good to be back." He peered down at his angel who was glancing around. "We can start here, if you'd like."

She looked up at him with a little gleam in her eyes. "It could use some t.l.c." She grinned. "But first...I need some supplies."

They had gone shopping for cleaning supplies, along with other things to replace the old stuff around the house. When they had returned Shikara cracked down on Shisui's home, it was amusing to see her go. He helped with anything she asked...which was very little...and soon enough the place was cleared of all the dust. It was cleaned from the inside out.

Shikara wiped the sweat from her brow as she observed the work they had done. "There, just like new."

Shisui chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "One place down..."

She turned in his arms with a curious expression. "One place?"

He grinned. "If we plan to rebuild the Uchiha clan, this whole place will need some of your t.l.c."

Her blush was adorable. "In time...Shisui-sama..."

He grinned and gently scooped her up. He had a glint in his eyes as he walked them towards the hallway. "I think we deserve a nice shower...we wouldn't want to dirty up what you've worked so hard to clean."

"Shisui-sama!"

His grin widened. "I plan to do things right this time, angel." He sat her on the vanity and peered into her eyes. She seemed a little nervous and his grin became a light smile. "Before I take claim to you again...I intend to become your husband first."

She tilted her head the way she always does when she doesn't quite understand something. "I'm not what you would call 'pure' anymore Shisui-sama. Why does this matter now?"

He closed his eyes as he rested his forehead on hers. "You deserve a honeymoon that you won't forget."

He drew back as she started to giggle. Her blush had returned and Shisui lifted an eyebrow. Her giggles subsided and she had a hand over her mouth as she shyly spoke. "Making love to you is anything but forgettable...Shisui."

His eyes narrowed. He knew she purposely addressed him plainly and was challenging his intentions. As she started to giggle again he turned to start the shower, eyeing her the whole time. He knew then that she had every intention to make this a living hell for him for however long it took her to plan their wedding.

I regret saying anything...but this will be interesting...

He brought himself close to her so that she was straddling his waist. He leaned in so that he could whisper in her ear. "There are other ways in which I can punish you accordingly...Angel..."

Shisui felt her freeze against him and he smirked. He knew that he had won this one.