Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Just my OCs.


With the help of her summon, she arrived at Aomori village a few hours before sunset. She dismissed her summon a few meters outside the village and donned her disguise before walking the rest of the way to her targeted village. Her ebony locks were now pinned and tucked beneath a short-length red wig, the original color of her eyes was now green, and her usual shinobi attire was replaced with a more civilian look.

The village was like any other thriving village. She passed through the village's gates with ease and wasted no time surveying her new surroundings. Families were out and enjoying the day, there were street peddlers performing their talents, and vendors calling out to anyone within earshot to come and stop by. It wasn't until she stopped and asked directions to the Hamasaki Tea House when she noticed a presence following her.

"Irasshaimase!"

Jai was greeted by the young female host after walking into the small establishment. She gave a polite nod in return. "I am looking for Hamasaki Suzumi."

"May I ask your name?"

"Hamasaki Megumi," she said. "Suzumi-san is my great-aunt."

"Of course, I'll let her know you're here."

While she waited, Jai took in her surroundings. Despite the small space, it was a very homey atmosphere with a comforting and relaxing aroma in the air. She was tempted to ask for a table and relax with a large pot of tea.

'I wonder if she serves mitarashi dangos…'

She came out of her thoughts when the hostess returned with an elderly woman in tow. Her deep red hair was twisted into a tight low bun that was decorated with simple hair sticks, and she wore a traditional lilac yukata.

"Megumi," she greeted with a sweet smile. "How long has it been?"

"Suzumi oba-san," Jai greeted back with a deep bow. "Too long. Otō-san sends his regards and thanks to you for your hospitality." She discreetly handed the shop owner a small scroll with her Hokage's seal on it.

"I'm so happy to have you." Suzumi looks to her hostess. "I'm going to step out and get my niece settled. I'll be back in a few hours. Let's go, Megumi."

The two left the tea house walking side-by-side in silence; once again, Jai felt a presence following her.

"Where are we going?"

"I am taking you to Minami-san's home. You have proven your identity and we cannot waste any more time."


Their trek led them out of the main village to a more rural area. After twenty minutes of walking, they arrived at a modest-sized house. A tall wooden fence surrounded the property with parts of it covered in thick vines. Flowers of every color and variety were planted and creatively coordinated around the estate. Jai was no stranger to gardening – having had to grow herbs as a child, but she had never gardened as a form of enjoyment.

'But with a house this size and their wealth they most likely pay someone to tend it'

"There is something that you must know about Hitomi," the elderly woman said as they made their way to the front door. She knocked on the door three times.

"What is it?"

The door opened just a crack for a few seconds before it was fully pulled back to reveal the kunoichi's client. She was about a head taller than herself with striking green eyes and deep brown hair. A long loose robe draped over her shoulders. Taking in Hitomi's appearance, Jai's eyes widened in surprise when they fell on her client's abdomen. Her swollen abdomen that was out of place on her slim physique.

"Pregnant…" Jai breathed out in shock.

Hitomi urged the two of them into her house and quickly closed and locked the door. Jai and Suzumi removed their shoes and followed Hitomi into the living room.

"No one informed me that you are pregnant."

"This doesn't change anything, does it?" Hitomi nervously asked.

"No," Jai said as she warily eyed her client. "this does not change my mission. I will still escort you back to Konoha."

Her client smiled in relief. "Thank you."

Jai studied Hitomi's every move. Her hands were fidgeting, her skin looked clammy, and her eyes were constantly shifting. "Why are you so nervous?"

"Hmm? I don't know what you mean."

Jai's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Suzumi-san, you said something about not wasting any time and Minami-san has all the tell-tale signs of anxiety. My question is, why? What is there to be anxious about while being in the comfort and privacy of their own home?"

Hitomi tensed in her seat when Jai pointed out her behavior.

"Please sit. There is something you must know," Suzumi urged.

Jai obliged the elderly woman and sat in a nearby armchair.

"Go on, Hitomi."

Her client took in a deep shaky breath before she spoke. "I came here five months ago to take care of my grandmother. After about a month, I met someone. We developed a romantic relationship that led to my current condition." She sighed again before continuing. "The father is the son of the Daimyō of Kusagakure."

Jai's breathing hitched in her lungs. "Are you serious?"

"Yes."

'She is carrying the illegitimate heir to the throne'

"Why the need for an escort?"

"Please, I have to leave this village," Hitomi begged.

"Someone is targeting Hitomi - threatening her life if she does not abort the pregnancy!" Suzumi explained.

Jai didn't know what to say or do. "You summoned me here under false pretenses. You lied to my Hokage. And now, if I were to help you, it could bring serious repercussions to Konoha."

"I know that I have risked a lot, but I didn't know what to do! I couldn't involve my family and have them be targeted as well!"

"Then why not inform the father? The prince of a country should be able to help you."

"We can't rule out that whoever is behind these threats may be someone within the royal family or even a member of their council," Suzumi spoke up. "That's why we turned to Konoha. You were our last hope."

"Please," Hitomi begged again. "I don't want to die, and I don't want to lose my baby."

Jai grit her teeth. She didn't know what to do. The risks were too high. She couldn't help them. She needed to leave. This woman's poor life choices were not worth the safety of Konoha. But a part of her knew that her Hokage would have tried to help.

'What would he do?'

His masked face crossed her mind. She always asked herself that when she was growing up; always striving to be as great as him.

'He would help her'

Despite the darkness within him, he always managed to do the right thing.

Hokage-sama would help her too'

They would help her because they were kind-hearted and she wasn't like them.

'But I would like to to be'

Her fists clenched and her teeth were bared. "I will help you…"

"Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"
"But, you must do everything I say. This is no longer about you. The safety of my village is now in jeopardy. Do you understand that?" Jai heavily stressed.

"Hai."

Her mind was running like mad making plans for their escape. They needed to move quickly but stealthily. And, if they left now, what was stopping the enemy from following them all the way back to Konoha?

'No, I cannot leave after having just arrived – especially if she is being monitored'

She wasn't going to jeopardize her village. Not for this one woman.

'This plan must be absolutely foolproof with flawless execution'

But that takes time, and time was not on their side.

'But what choice do I have?'

She ran through every Jutsu in her arsenal before finally recalling one that she hadn't used in a very long time and heavily sighed.

'At least three weeks – possibly longer since I have to make three'

"So, what's the plan?" Hitomi asked.

Jai's eyes opened. "We fake our deaths," she said in her usual deadpanned manner.

"What?"

"Whoever is behind this will not stop until either you or your baby is dead. Since you will not comply with their demands, they will kill you instead – it is a 'two birds with one stone' situation. They will most likely kill you as well, Hamasaki-san. I imagine these people do not leave loose ends."

"Will you be faking my death as well?" Suzumi asked nervously.

"Yes, and mine as well – well Hamasaki Megumi's."

Said woman was speechless and shaking in her seat.

"You will need to assume a new identity as well. The Minami name is too well known." Jai continued to explain. "That means giving up your role as the Minami heir-"
"Wait," Suzumi interrupted. "No one is aware that Hitomi is a member of the Minami household. Her grandmother that she was tending was of her maternal side of the family and the Minami name is of her paternal side. Surely that must mean something!"

Jai's eyes narrowed at the elderly woman. "You are certain that no one is aware?"

"Yes. Everyone always referred to her as Hayashi."

"Very well, perhaps a new identity will not be needed. I am sorry to say that the same cannot be said for you, Hamasaki-san. Whatever ties the two of you have here will die here. Including all the relationships that you have developed."

Hitomi's eyes widened when she realized Jai's meaning. "Even…" her hands fell around her stomach.

"Yes, even him. For your life and the life of your unborn child, I will not risk it. Do you both understand?"

Her client was in shock. This was not how she thought it would end. She was never going to see him again. Her child would never know its father, and the only man she has ever loved will never know his child. But it was like the woman from Konoha said: for her life and her child's life.

"Yes," Suzumi said, her head bowed in sadness.

"Hitomi?"

"Yes," Hitomi finally breathed out her response. "Yes, I understand." A tear had slid down her right cheek. "I am sorry for involving you, Suzumi-san."

The elderly woman rested her hand over Hitomi's in a comforting manner. "I do not regret it. Your grandmother was my best friend growing up. I wouldn't change anything."

As the two came to terms with their situation, Jai reached into her travel bag and pulled out two large needles, two long thin tubes and their holders, and two plastic pouches. "I will need blood from both of you."