Chapter 12

After I told them everything about myself the tension that had been there was gone. I had even told them what it was like growing up, my first jump into another dimension. What happened with Damen. All of it. Of course, I stretched the Akatsuki part of my life. Making sure not to tell them anything I haven't already. That night when I had returned home after seeing Naruto, Sora, and Sai off to the hospital a cooler had been placed in front of my apartment door. As if, they were accepting me. Making sure I have what I needed. Of course, the note on the cooler gave me a price that I now owe them which caused a bead of sweat to roll down the side of my face.

In other words, they will make sure I have what I need but like every human being, I need to pay for my sustenance. I couldn't complain. It made me feel more... Normal. In fact, it made me smile. After drinking, and bathing. Rest came easy. I slept deeper than I have in a long time. As if just telling them and not being turned against. Took a weight off of my mind. Even now, it has been a week. Naruto and Sai are still in the hospital. Sora left a couple of days after the attack. Not once has someone been hanging around watching me. No one was listening. It is as if that my saving Naruto and Sakura. Helping in the fight. And telling them the truth about myself. They finally trust me.

As if doubts no longer linger in their minds about me. Sighing I look down at my open book. Itachi has remained quiet. Except for one time when he told me good night and to be careful. It's about time then. I think to myself before completing the usual hand signs. Feeling my energy connect to the one I need to speak to. "I'm in." I tell him blankly once I feel the connection complete. "They trust me now."

"Well done, Kira." His deep low voice echoes in my head and I nearly smile. I didn't realize how much I had begun to miss that tower. "And the Nine-tails?"

"I am back on his team. He is currently in the hospital from the previous attack on the village." I explain as I can imagine him closing his purple-ringed eyes as he listens.

"Good." He says, completely void of any emotion as always. "Keep it up. I am Sending Hidan and Kakuzu towards the fire after a mark. I want you to remain where you are for now."

"Understood." I tell him just before he severs the link. That guy... Is hard to read sometimes. If he is sending those two why am I even still here? They won't stop at a cash cow, they'll come here. Leaning my head back against the tree I sigh deeply. Sometimes it's difficult for me to willingly obey orders that make no logical sense. But I know, there is a point to it. There always is where Tobi is involved. Unlike me, Tobi plays the long game. His plans can span out for years before moves he makes even comes to fruition. I have to admit. For an evil, psychotic bastard. He's smarter than I am.

Well, I did know there was a chance that I'd run into other members of the Akatsuki on this mission. It's why I left the way I did. Most of them suck at keeping secrets. "Nice day." His voice meets my ears from the ground and I smile. I knew the moment he walked into this training area.

"You're back." I say as I close my book and run my fingers lightly over the leather cover. Closing my eyes listening to the birds chirping.

"Ah, yes." He says as I feel him walk to the tree and lean against it. "I heard about what happened from the others." Hn. I make a sound of understanding before I look out over the field towards the small waterfall that was out of place being unattached to any other source of water. "Sounds like you did well." He continues as I curl my hands around my book. What can I say to add to this conversation? Nothing really.

"He has grown so much." I speak quietly and Kakashi makes a small grunt in agreement with my words. "Because of him. I was able to do something I've never been able to before." I smile and close my eyes again, a part of me wanting to cling to the warmth that being back in the village has been filling me with. "It's good to be home." I admit openly and I can feel Kakashi smile to himself.

"Well." Kakashi sighs almost as if he is worried about what he is going to say next. Probably remembering something from our past as Team Seven. "As soon as Naruto is out of the hospital, Yamato and I will resume his training." I see, just like before he has someone else he is focused on.

"I understand." I tell him as I look down at the top of his silver-haired head. "The Akatsuki are after Naruto. Even with the growth, he has already accomplished, he is still far too weak to defend himself against them." I say and he gives a small chuckle as I feel him smile again and close his eye.

"Naruto and Sakura aren't the only ones who have grown." I sigh and jump down from the tree to stand next to him after I slip my book into my pouch.

"My chemical imbalance from being a child is no longer there. I have been able to think more clearly since about a month after the Akatsuki took me." He gives a sound of question as I move to the tree allowing my shoulder to brush against him as I lean back against the side of the tree. "The curse broke not too long after Itachi and Kisame retrieved me." I tell him quietly as I close my eyes.

"So all this time you spent it with the very person Sasuke is driven to kill." He comments making me smirk. As if that one remark was supposed to unsettle me. Then again, he probably didn't even mean anything by it. This man believed every word I told him the minute we ran into each other outside of the village.

"Yes, and I learned a few things." I admitted now smiling seeing his attention was no longer on the book he had pulled out. "I know why he did what he did for example." Why not? They'll find out about it sooner or later. Maybe, just maybe. If it's sooner they can deal with the problems inside the village and prepare for the Uchiha to return. Rolling my shoulders I push from the tree and take a few slow steps away from Kakashi.

"What did you find out?" He asks almost hesitantly. Inwardly I almost jump for joy that he took the bait.

"Beneath the Hokage building, in the redacted top secret files of the previous Hokage. You will find that answer yourself." I tell him plainly causing a sound of question to come from him. "But be warned. There are people in this village that would rather die than let the secret be revealed."

"But how…" He begins with disbelief. I already knew what he wanted to ask. How do I know about that place? An answer I cannot truly give. Best for him to come up with his own assumptions. Leaving him to dwell on what I just told him as the sun begins to set I make my way home.

Two days after that conversation with Kakashi, Naruto got out of the hospital. Just as Kakashi had said he and Yamato took Naruto to the exact training field I have been relaxing in. These days since Team Kakashi has been given no orders, I've been spending them trying to earn enough money to pay for what the Hokage gave me. I've been doing rounds in the hospital as a medical-nin but other times. Like today. I am out in the village carrying boards and other supplies by use of Shadow clones to help with the rebuilding of the village.

Working in the hospital pays better but as Tsunade had told me. She can't give me much time there. The hospital isn't in need of help but I can fill in from time to time. So against her better judgment, she set me to work on helping the village. She actually wanted me to rest or take time to train like Naruto but I was adamant about paying my bill. Besides. This is training. Using shadow clones alone takes up a lot of energy. Most people cannot hold this jutsu for very long. Sakura told me that even Kakashi admitted he couldn't hold a clone long enough to get any real progress in training.

So spending days like this with my clones in use was training. Steadily I was able to keep more than three clones at a time going all day. It was exhausting work. I quickly learned that the more clones I use the more exhausted I become after releasing the jutsu. However, I refuse to give up. My goal is, by the time the village is done, to have about a hundred shadow clones doing the work for me. Currently, I am up to twenty. With me sitting on the sidelines watching them carry the tools, boards, and buckets of plaster. All of it that the villagers need.

"So that is how you've been monopolizing these missions." Shizune's voice comes up beside me as she stands next to me in the shade. Opening my eyes I look up at her from where I was laying on the grass. Her eyes were wide and her jaw slacked open at the sight before her.

"Killing two birds with one stone." I sigh watching her reactions. "I am training to keep my Shadow clones going for longer periods of time. And in return, I can work on multiple missions a day all at once."

"But that's…" She breathes and I sit up to look at my clones running around.

"Anyway, Shizune. What brings you here?" As soon as those words leave my mouth she stiffens and clears her throat to compose herself.

"Right, Lady Tsunade has called for the twenty preset squads to join her on the roof of the Hokage building. She has requested you specifically to join as well." So, they have finally come to the land of fire. Sighing I get up and walk over to one of my clones that was currently talking to one of the clients. Coming up to her she makes a sound of question before turning to me.

"I need one clone to remain from each squad long enough to apologize and inform the clients that I must go. Promise them, however, that the Hokage will soon dispatch another team to take my place." My clone nods in understanding before disappearing in a puff of smoke making sure my other clones would know my orders. Turning to the old woman I give her an apologetic bow.

"There is no need child. Go, the Lady Hokage needs you." She gives me a smile and I nod to her before standing straight. With one glance at Shizune, I transport myself to the roof of the Hokage building. A skill I acquired but don't necessarily like to use. It's handy getting to places I've been previously quickly but otherwise, it makes me feel lazy.

Seeing Ninja already lined up I find myself a spot near Asuma to wait for the rest of them. "So she called you too." He speaks lowly and I nod. "Bold move."

"So this is... About the Akatsuki." I breathe as if I didn't already know. Hn. He makes a sound of confirmation for me just as Tsunade steps up onto the roof followed by Shizune and a bald man wearing an outfit just like Sora's. Once everyone was in line Tsunade puts her hand on her right hip.

"Someone has attacked the fire temple. Team one will go to the temple! The rest of you will set out a twenty-kilometer perimeter to look for the Akatsuki members!" She narrows her eyes making sure to speak up loud enough for everyone to hear. "So, are there any questions?" She asks. Everyone remains quiet though I found myself raising my hand.

"Kira." She says as her tone softens only slightly. "You are not one of the platoons. However, your insight into the Akatsuki may be invaluable. You will be on Asuma's team this time so you can inform him of anything you may recall from conversations you overheard." I lower my hand and almost sigh. Guess she'd expect that question to come from me.

"Yes, ma'am." I tell her as I go back to being silent. This is a lot sooner than we expected. Maybe she is using this as another test. Even if it isn't a test I can understand her reasoning. No matter how much of a slim possibility it may be. Something that I may have passed off over these years as being unimportant might turn out to be something useful on this mission.

Feeling the last of my clones pop I nearly stumble forwards as all of their exhaustion and experience flows through me. Catching myself I shake my head as Asuma speaks. "Chiriku, a former member of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve, should be there. What happened to him?"

Tsunade openly looks down moments before she looks towards the bald monk who has sweat rolling over his head causing it to basically shine in the sunlight. He looks down as he starts to speak. "Lord Chiriku died by their hands." Asuma's eyes widen as sweat rolls down his face, I could even hear his breaths while controlled still quiver at these words. So Asuma knew this mark.

"For the pride of the village, and most of all. For the safety of the land of fire! We must not let them cause any more damage! I want to know what they are after, but they are very dangerous. Don't let them out of the country no matter what. Find them and if you are unable to restrain them, Kill them! Now Go!" Tsunade raises her hand to sign us to leave. Leaping after Asuma, I settle for staying close to him. I have no idea what teams are labeled what unlike the rest of them. I was never informed beforehand.

Landing on an apartment building near the wall Asuma stops and Shikamaru crouches down. The two chunin who usually watch the gate landing beside Asuma so I take up stance next to Shikamaru. "Now then." Shikamaru says.

"We start with the fire temple." Asuma says as he stares off at an empty window lined with flowers. "Someone has to do it." He breathes barely above a whisper as he smiles making me tilt my head. "Let's go." And with that, he leads us out of the village and into the trees. He first jumps up onto a branch followed by Shikamaru. I leap up next to Shika with the other two trailing behind us.

"Asuma Sensei." Shika says as he picks up speed leaving my side to come up next to Asuma.

"What is it?" He asks. Feeling my energy dragging from my training I reach into my pouch and retrieve my canteen.

"It seems you were acquainted with Chiriku from the fire temple." Shikamaru asks as he looks to Asuma.

"Yeah... Didn't I ever tell you?" Asuma smiles as I swallow a drink from my canteen. I need to start using this sparingly. I remind myself only taking a second small drink to replenish my energy from today.

"They both were Guardian Shinobi." I say as I put my canteen back into my pouch causing them to look back at me. "All members have had a price on their heads throughout the other nations. There were two remaining of the twelve. So of course, I knew." I tell them before they could ask.

"Yes, We were brothers. During my time I left the village and joined the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. He looks back at me before focusing ahead of us again. "The temple is close. Let's hurry!" And with that, we pick up speed.

"Kira. I saw all of those Shadow clones on my way to the Hokage building." Shikamaru calls back to me as he looks over his shoulder and I smile. "You sure you're up to strength? That had to of taken a lot out of you."

"I'm fine, besides at this leisurely pace I'll get my strength back completely soon enough so don't you worry." I giggle lightly causing all of them to look at me.

"Tough talk for someone who has been doing missions nonstop for almost a week." Shika chuckles and I roll my eyes playfully. "Seriously, don't you ever take a break?" Shika pokes at me playfully with his words so I shrug.

"Not all of us was making money for the past few years Shika. When I got back I was slammed with all the rent I've missed. I was lucky they held my apartment for me this long. I can't expect them to go further out of their way now that I'm back."

He chuckles back at me making Asuma smile from our conversation before he takes on a more serious vibe to him. "Kira." He grumbles making both Shika and I look towards him. "Your duty on this mission.." He starts and I very nearly sigh. I don't have to be told multiple times.

"I know. If I remember anything at all from little hints of conversations I overheard while I was with the Akatsuki I am to tell you freely and immediately." I answer him and he nods.

"Hn, Yes. The information you overheard, no matter how minor could help us greatly." I know, I know. Problem is, how do I do that? I already know who attacked the fire temple. I can already figure the reason as to why. As I know their strengths. I've hunted marks and trained with them enough to carry information that if the Leaf figures out I know and did not tell them. I'll be imprisoned, or killed. After of course being tortured again.