DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything from the Naruto universe. This is my Mito, though.


Thinking (+ flashbacks, "Mito speaking to Kurama in her mindscape," etc.)

Emphasis

Bijuu, etc. speaking

Bijuu, etc. thinking


Asuma slid into the booth across from his sister and glared at her with a look that was full of suspicion. What a brat! Mito was sitting there as if she wasn't doing what she was definitely er- probably doing. "How long have you been dating that Nara?" Mito looked like she didn't know what he was talking about, her eyebrows furrowed as she twisted her lips in confusion.

She couldn't be serious, could she? That series of expressions usually meant that she was confused.

"We play shogi. I mean, it's sometimes boring but it's always good for strategy, I guess, and Ensui's interesting and mostly in charge of regular ANBU. I send my clone to go for me half the time."

Asuma's mouth slightly dropped open before he realized it and quickly shut it. "Hideki said you went out to dinner together the other night." Just 'Ensui,' huh? No honorific? Interesting.

And Shikamaru - my STUDENT - was the one that led me to ask Hideki about it!

"It's troublesome, but I think my uncle's dating Mito-sensei," his student had said while easily kicking his ass playing shogi.

Hatake had gone running almost as soon as he heard, probably either straight to the Hokage or worse: he went to stalk Mito again.

He picks on her shamelessly but I don't think he has the balls to ask her out. Poor guy.

No, Poor me!

Being an older brother sucked sometimes. It had been pretty great (although troublesome) when they were little but Hideki had warned him that times like these would be ahead of them.

"Hey man; free food is free food! I don't get why that's especially meaningful. Honestly…"

"Mito," Asuma snapped in irritation. "That's uncool! –Sending a clone like that!"

"Why?" Mito asked seriously. "You were just hostile about me being with him at all! Don't try to lie! –And I am passed here with shit to do," she whispered, gesturing to her forehead. She put down a silencing seal that had a light genjutsu element in it. "And listening to those conversations with those old folks," she began with a scoff and shake of her head. "Asuma. I want to help but I think we're focused on the wrong people. Unless Homura and Koharu are plotting in the bathroom - and I am NOT going to listen to them there, at least not right now," she groaned, imagining listening to THAT kind of thing. "No. They always discuss what's going on in Konoha, but it's like old folks do: gossiping and complaining but nothing treasonous."

"Are you sure?" Asuma asked, especially serious.

"No," Mito breathed simply. "It's a feeling and ugh, I'll at least have my clones keep monitoring them for ya but is there somewhere else I can help with the investigation? –Is there somewhere else you can use me? And how many kids are missing, anyway?"

"Enough," Asuma said. "One is enough." And there was certainly more than one.

"Protect the King," his father had written in that last note before explaining that he knew he'd find that the "Kings" were the children of Konoha.

Asuma wasn't sure that he would've realized that on his own. But now he knew and understood - and it was his turn to preach it to and look out for the next generation.

"I just want to help," Mito said, looking uncomfortable. "And of COURSE one is enough. I only meant that I would think that greater numbers of missing children present a greater risk to the kidnappers of being found. Are we sure they're in Konoha?"

"No," Asuma admitted. "I'm in contact with a few people in Intelligence and Jiraiya about it. They're 'keeping their eyes open' outside the village but I don't sense any urgency there."

"Jiraiya will be on it, Asuma. He loves children and HATES traitors. We all hate ROOT."

"Right. If the kids ARE outside of Konoha then someone's trafficking them…"

It took Asuma too long to say anything else, Mito noticed. "Any sightings of the kids in question?" Asuma tapped his finger on the table - a sign Mito knew meant that he might be nervous about whatever it was he planned to probably lie about. "So where are they?"

"Let's not go there." No, Asuma didn't want his sister anywhere near the Uchiha Compound. Considering that some Uchihas had been plotting to release the Kyuubi from Naruto… No. Not happening. "I've got people on it and reports were really skewed anyway."

People were blaming the Uchihas for every bad thing that happened to them in life since the "Incident," so it only made sense that an old guy whose family was killed in the Kyuubi attack would send his contact toward them. Although Hokage-sama had rightfully blamed Uchiha Obito for the attack, a lot of people seemed to think that the rest of the Uchihas were involved or neglectful of one of their own, too.

With some of their clansmen attempting a coup on top of the Kyuubi attack? – Yeah. The common people and even a lot of ninjas weren't loving the Uchihas right now.

Mito had her eyes narrowed on him, looking unimpressed but she didn't press him on it.

"Soooo. You like Ensui?"

Mito pursed her lips, not really considering that. If you don't want me somewhere that probably means someone - maybe even one of these kids - was seen in the Uchiha District, a place that was supposed to be off limits to her, or so said her Hokage father. "Sure. As a friend? –I mean, I don't know if we're friends but uhh, he's a comrade, obviously."

"You find him attractive?"

Mito let out a sigh that sounded more like a growl and gave him a deadpan look. "Do YOU? –Really, Asuma. And he might BE attractive but he seems to like makeup more than I do." She could really do without that green eyeliner Ensui was so fond of for some reason.

Asuma breathed a sigh of relief. Ensui was just too old and manipulative. As smart as Mito was, Ensui was as smart or smarter. Freaking Naras. Ensui's probably a nice guy: they all are but... "I don't think he's right for you."

Mito let out a snort. "Is there anyone you do think I'd be compatible with?" And why the hell is everyone so interested in my lack of a relationship?

"Nah. You're horrible," he teased. Mito grinned broadly and nodded her head, cracking him up. "Idiot."

"I'm so glad you popped in, As." She released the seal. "Let's get something to eat!"

A little later, she flashed off when he was looking past her, (probably looking for Kurenai; Mito would bet a lot of ryo that the Genjutsu Mistress needed a break from him,) leaving him to pay for her again.

They were paid handsomely as Jonin-senseis plus had missions (hers the hospital; his tracking those poor kids) on the side, so he'd be fine. She would've snickered to herself about leaving him with the tab if it weren't for Asuma's worries.

He'll be pissed I left, though.

Meh, I guess that's a bonus.


.


Seeing his sensei at the mission desk made Kakashi begin to spiral.

Tora, again?! No. He couldn't do it! As much as he enjoyed watching his not-kawaii Genins getting scratched up and scurrying after the little monster, Tora made his terrible allergies go crazy. He could almost feel hives coming on just thinking about that cat and winced, considering what actually being anywhere near the damn thing would do to his nose. He then attempted to school his features, slouching more and trying to look above it all. "Maa, Team 7 reporting for a C-rank."

He was not dealing with that fucking cat. Tora might be a D-rank but everyone knew that even ANBU avoided that mission, feeling that they should be paid for at least a B-rank to capture its furry ass.

"WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAT?" Naruto yelled. "YOSH! Finally!"

Minato glared at his student: Team 7 was NOT ready for a C-rank and he wanted to sick Tora on them even more now. Team 7 was giving him white hair as much as his grown-up daughter and job were: his son's team could barely do D-ranks without strangling each other. It reminds me of my own team but these three are even worse.

I sure do miss Rin-chan. –And the sweet but hot-tempered Obito-kun I once knew. "I should deny your request, but there is one mission that might work," Minato said, surprising the team.

"Is it guarding a princess? Or some kinda VIP that's not a freaking cat? I've been waiting for this, 'ttebayo! YOSH! It's about damn time, Tou-san!"

Kakashi bopped the jumping Naruto on the head and scratched at his own sheepishly, chuckling softly (and awkwardly) while Sasuke called his self-appointed rival names in an overly loud whisper. He held on to Naruto's shoulder to keep him in place. Sakura looked like she was going to blow a gasket again and he grabbed her fist before it could come down on the Hokage's SON's head.

Sakura was theoretically smart, sure, but Kakashi was afraid that the girl had a personality disorder - one that worried him. He would've sent her to the Yamanakas if they weren't so damn horrible. –Once arriving with the girl, they'd probably seal him in a room because of his past and issues and he'd never get out and…

He came out of his meandering musings suddenly, looking up from his book when Minato-sensei threw a kunai into the wall. Mito teleported in seconds later, a matching kunai in her hand with a slightly altered seal, he knew. She had leaves in her two-toned hair that was flying loose and free.

"Oh," she said, feeling irritated and retracting her kunai. There was no danger here! She screwed up her face and glared at her father. "What? You could've just sent a bird. …Hokage-sama."

Minato sighed; his kids were so disrespectful. He looked up at his student and saw his one usually lazy eye eagerly raking over Mito's form from behind his horrible book. On the one hand, he wanted to pound Kakashi, and on the other he wanted his student to get his act together and show any kind of personal growth in his life. Just ask her out.

Then I'll kick your ass six ways from Sunday.

Kakashi, for his part, wasn't necessarily thinking about that. He was only trying to figure her out and planning...

The constant headache-inducing worry regarding all men being anywhere near his daughter was tempered by the way Mito had lightened up in the last few months. Being a Jonin-sensei was obviously especially good for her in many ways.

Team 8 would be a powerhouse one day, he was sure. Mito was brutal with them but also caring and inspiring. She'd make a great Hokage one day, really. But back to her bratty behavior…

"What,'" Minato repeated back to his daughter, "is that your team is here for the mission you requested." Mito hummed and perked up.

"That's great. It's earlier than I expected, really, but we definitely need to do it."

"Whaddya you mean, 'her team?' She already has a team, 'ttebayo," Naruto said sourly. He grimaced, ducking down but, in the end, allowing Sakura to hit him. She was super great and getting stronger. He was glad for it.

He loooooved Sakura-chan!

"Are you our client, Mito-sensei?" Sakura asked sweetly a heartbeat after her punch hit.

"DON'T hit my brother," you fucking banshee, "and I suppose I am!" Mito turned to her father but kept her narrowed eyes (and curled upper lip) pointed toward Pinky for several seconds. Her eyes widened and seemed to turn much lighter in color as she further considered the mission she'd requested. "Wait! How about we make this a D-rank and my team can come, too?"

Otherwise, she'd have to get Anko to watch her team and she'd have to worry for their lives and sanity, in that case.

Minato leaned his jaw on his fist. The money for the dual missions would be about the same as being paid for a C-rank and her idea would provide extra protection for both her and Naruto. "Did your team finish cleaning out that sewer? –And why don't you stink?"

Mito almost snorted. "What am I, a glutton for punishment? –I sent the Genins there with a clone."

"That's disgusting, ya know," Naruto said after bending over and pretending to retch, somehow smiling at the same time. "Kakashi-ni-SENSEI would've never made us do somethin' like that."

Mito hummed. "Sounds like he sucks then." She smirked at the way Kakashi slumped. "But it needs to be done for the village, Naru-kun. Just imagine your toilet never flushing and when you finally got the water to circulate, then up comes a hand or something even worse," Mito grinned zanily, pushing her hand up creepily through the other that was gripped around her wrist, imagining cold, dead fingertips brushing someone's butt. Gross!

What was the deal with her mind?!

Oh, right: Uzumaki genetics. Mito might have an eidetic (or almost eidetic) memory but she also had rampant ADHD that she had to constantly fight.

Thinking about her cubs, Mito sent out a silent prayer that her Genins hadn't found anything disturbing like that in the literal bowels of Konoha. She tried to ruffle Naruto's fluffy hair and pouted when he swerved out of the way. "Plus it's dark down there - and they need to be able to effectively move in the dark or with their senses inhibited."

"Especially because your team is made up of trackers," Sakura piped up with a forced grin. She did not want to be on this Jonin's bad side and Namikaze Mito always looked at her as if she detested her. It made her feel bad! –Plus Mito-sensei was weird and scary. "Maybe you can teach us how to track!"

"Maa, maa, Sakura-chan. I'll have you know that I'm the best tracker in the village," Kakashi said hastily. Truthfully.

"I'll be sure to tell Tsume-san you said that," Mito teased.

"Please don't do that… hime-sama."

"Goddam you Hatake Kakashi; stop calling me that."

Minato looked down at the mission paperwork, his face tight at their teasing banter; it was difficult for him to let go now that she was back with them.

Mito was only like this: relaxed and lighthearted with the other Jonin-senseis she was learning to trust and the kids, though - outside of Anko, a couple of his ANBUs, and some of the hospital staff. He was fairly sure that she wasn't interested in seeing anyone outside of her professional duties right now. As he flipped through files and considered Mito's altered mission request, his daughter flashed away again.

Her clone had popped and it seemed her Genins were finished. Flashing in, Mito held her nose. "Uh. Good job, team!" Her clone had been encouraging the children to revolt; she KNEW something was wrong with that shadow clone jutsu - but it was just so handy. "Go on home and get showered; take the night off. Tomorrow we're leaving the village." At least her filthy, stinky students seemed surprised or excited about that. "It should only take a couple of days if we're slow but pack for five - like a ninja - just in case. I want to see your OWN storage seals tomorrow morning, alright? Meet me at the north gate at the regular time. Dismissed!"

All three stinky kids sunshinned away perfectly, (an incredibly irritated Kiba after picking up a filthy Akamaru - and Hinata-chan in a water sunshin for the first time,) making her proud. The sunshin was a simple, low-ranked jutsu but it was super helpful. Mito didn't even mind that Hinata had almost splashed her.

Back at the mission's desk, Minato explained Team 7's new assignment and handed the original mission request to Kakashi. Obviously, it needed to be altered. "Since it's late, meet the others at the Gate at 0700. Team 8 will be accompanying you on an escort mission."

"It's D-ranked now?" Kakashi asked in a blank tone as he saw how Minato had marked it. He glanced over at Sasuke who had sighed miserably when it was announced that Team 8 would be tagging along, too. That kid's even more anti-social than I am.

"That's because I'm sending two elite ninjas with six little Genins." He gave his son a look when he rowdily complained that he wasn't little. "I'm sure you can handle it, Kakashi. Your teams will each be paid for a D-rank."

"Hokage-sama," Sasuke began quietly seconds later, surprising everyone - that kid rarely spoke unless spoken to - "who is the person we're escorting and where are we taking that person?"

"The VIP is my daughter, and I suppose my son is one too, too," Minato answered with a wink at Naruto and a proud grin.

Sasuke and Kakashi both sighed heavily. "Then we should get paid more," the sensei said.

"Don't jinx this, nii-uh-sensei-san." His older brother rolled his eye at him, making the blonde Genin pout. He'd been calling Kakashi "aniki" or "nii-san" his whole life; calling him "sensei" now was weird (plus after a few months, he could safely say that Kakashi was a terrible sensei, in Naruto's not-so-humble opinion.)

"I wouldn't worry about that Naru-kun," Minato grinned. "And since your team is otherwise unoccupied this afternoon and evening, I have just the mission for you!"

"Please, don't," Kakashi begged quietly.

"Team 7! The VIC known as Tora has managed to escape again!" Minato couldn't help but grin even more when the entire team began cursing - or at least mouthing curses in Sasuke's case. "Please TRACK and retrieve it," he continued, nodding toward Sakura - who deflated and looked sick.

Minato loved the perks of his job.


.


The members of Team 7 came trailing toward the main gate at 0700, guessing that it would take their sensei hours to show up. They saw Mito-sensei squatting down, inspecting scrolls with her team surrounding her.

"Perfect, Hinata-chan. Now what all did you bring?" Mito could've cursed when Hinata noticed her little brother down the road, making the girl freak out. They had been doing so well aside from Fridays' multi-squad trainings. "Hinata," she said darkly, her purplish-blue eyes boring into the poor girl's soul. "I don't know what type of relationship you have with my brother but it's important to remember that you're both YOUNG and that he's a person, just like you," she whispered.

Hinata nodded and promised to keep that in mind.

Kiba pulled out his scroll and knew that it was a mess. "Sorry." He had his pack and didn't really care about the way his sensei growled at him like an animal: he was pretty sure she had some Inuzuka genes. Plus, she was secretly a softie - buying them dangos and stuff oftentimes after missions. "I brought my pack, too." His sensei grimaced and began pointing out what was wrong with his seal. Then she whipped out some paper and Kiba relaxed. It was much easier to move with a scroll than it was with a pack.

He smirked to himself. He'd let her do it. Behind his glasses and coat, Shino still somehow managed to give him a look that said that he strongly disapproved and might tell on him.

The taller boy was more direct about the whole Hinata thing, though, naturally. "Hinata looks up to Naruto. Why you ask?" Mito mouthed the words "I didn't" as she gave him a look. This had happened a lot lately so Shino continued, still wanting to get his point across. "It is because Naruto-kun saved Hinata from a group of bullies when she was younger."

Mito grasped Hinata's shoulder before she passed out, steadying the poor girl. Naruto was really close to the gate now. "Really? That makes me very proud of him. When did this happen, Hina?"

"Ano," she began, doing that thing with her fingers that used to make Mito reflexively think that she was preparing to jutsu someone, "I believe we were f-four?"

And you've liked him ever since, huh? Awww: how sweet is that? That shit never lasted, Mito thought she knew - although she was happy that Hinata didn't like Naruto for his looks or for being the "honored son of the Hokage" or something. –Not that Mito could imagine that. Hinata wasn't that kind of girl plus she had her own standing in the village. Sort of.

Hyuuga clan bullshit: what a drag.

Mito approved Shino's seal and said good morning to the kids on Team 7, quickly approving almost everything they had packed - although Kiba's was a little food heavy. So is mine, though, she thought to herself.

Naruto's was so full of instant ramen that she considered sending him home.

He and Kiba, however, immediately started giving each other crap and when Kakashi sunshinned in; Naruto was so surprised he shrieked, scaring his sister to death.

Her hair flew into action, spreading out in all directions. "Nar-u-to," she said in a dark voice quite similar to the one that occasionally made itself known in their mindscapes, "you're a ninja. Ninjas are quiet." She noticed that her students seemed to think that hypocritical and almost pouted. Yes, she could be loud, too; but only when they drove her to it! "I was told that you haven't been informed of where we're going but I have a few errands to run first."

"What kind of errands?" Kakashi asked suspiciously.

"Shopping," Mito grinned.

"That's another mission, hime-sama."

"Stop calling me that! And c'mon: we've got plenty of time!"

As a fellow tightwad, Kakashi supposed that he could follow his client around for a bit, as long as he could read in peace and it wouldn't take too long. They headed first to an aquarium outfitter.

2 hours and a whirlwind shopping trip later -

Mito clapped her hands together when they were close to the gate again and turned toward the kiddies. "Alright, Teams 7 and 8, we're off to…"

"Nope," Kakashi interrupted, holding his hand up toward her. "I'm in charge of this protection detail. YOU are the client."

"You can't be serious."

"I am. Modified diamond formation. I'll be in the rear behind Hinata-chan, Sasuke-kun's center front, Kiba-kun front right, Shino-kun's front left." Mito's team took their places around their sensei without hesitation. Kakashi wasn't sure if that was simply because of the kids' general natures or clans (or if it was her) training but couldn't help but wonder if he should train his Genins more seriously from here on out.

They'd really only been working on teamwork since their teamwork was absolutely terrible.

Sasuke had very little respect for authority, and Naruto was such a wild card and just plain wild - and then, of course, there was Sakura. (Not to mention what he feared was a preteen love triangle.) The masked nin rubbed the bridge of his nose and eyes and tried not to think about it anymore. Mission, mission: we have a mission. Focus.

"Naruto, you're rear left, behind Shino-kun - and stay close to Mito. Sakura-chan, you're rear right, behind Kiba-kun." The Jonin turned toward their client and held his hands up. "So?"

"Sounds good," Mito said simply. "If we're attacked, you all need to be careful of my chains." She began to say more but figured Kakashi knew this crap better than her and he was subtly signaling her to drop it. "Let's move out."

Monkey sunshinned in and handed her a scroll before they'd even stepped out of the village. "Update to your mission; this is a job for you."

"Thanks." Mito looked at the addendum to their mission and couldn't help but smile. "We're waiting for someone." It took another 10 minutes, but Tsunade came lumbering toward them. "Everyone here knows Senju Tsunade-hime, right? She'll be coming with us."

Once again, the kids were in awe, making Mito smile. Kakashi looked miserable, which was funny.

"The Shrine we're ultimately headed to is just north of the Fire Temple - where we'll be making a stop." Naruto gasped and looked so excited when she finally told everyone. She smiled at him and ruffled his hair - and this time he didn't duck away from her. She actually got a giant hug!

He grinned up at her with sparkling azure eyes. "That's why we got the aquarium, 'ttebayo!"

"Yep," Mito chirped. "I just found a seal - or an idea for some that will allow us to power the whole thing. Next time we can bring fish back with us!"

Naruto pulled his fist back. Finally, he'd get to see it! "We'll bring a bunch of fish back. Believe it!" He gasped. "We need to go to Uzushio for the fish!"

"We'll have to see." Mito hoped that mission would get approved, though. "One more thing." She henged her hair black and made herself look like she was wearing a winter-themed kimono. Although she asked Naruto the next question, she looked back and forth between him and his sensei for an answer. "Maybe this would be a good idea for you, too, Naruto, Tsunade?"

"I'm not henging for anyone, brat," Tsunade said with a raised eyebrow. Mito argued with her in a whisper, reminding her that the last thing they needed was to be targeted, considering that they had Genins to protect.

Kakashi inhaled slowly and would have to agree that Naruto would be safer henging. This would be his first time out of the village with Naruto - a little clone of the man with the highest bounty in the Elemental Nations, (barring Obito whom he refused to think about right now.) But this time they were without Naruto's father and their large guard accompanying them. That's a little scary. He nodded for Naruto to henge but put his face in his hands when Naruto turned himself into a shorter, almost mirror image of Mito's new appearance, only far more busty - or letting a lot of it hang out there which Mito definitely didn't do.

"HAHAHA!"

"Don't make me sic Hinote on you, Naruto!" Mito had turned cherry red and double-checked her fake kimono. I don't look like that, do I?!

This time, Mito actually thanked Sakura for braining her pervy little brother. Yuck! "Naruto, you do realize that you seem to have based that henge off of my face and body, don't you? Me? –Your SISTER?!"

"WHAT?! Oh, shiit!" Naruto grabbed his phony kimono and covered up his new assets with a loud whimper. "WAIT A MINUTE! You don't have THESE, do ya?!" Mito closed her eyes tightly as Naruto went to possibly juggle his "breasts." She would not look! Fortunately, Kakashi attacked his student and dragged him off for a little "talk."

Oh, Mom: Naruto really needed one of us around to keep him in line! I can only imagine him growing up with Tou-san working so much and boys/men like open smut-reading Kakashi and Playboy Genma to guide him.

Tsunade chose the moment they came back to the group, (she was looking apologetic toward a probably permanently-scarred Mito,) and flicked the boy through the forest, sending him flying.

Kakashi winced - and not for Naruto. The way Mito was glaring at him might melt stone.


Sakura, it turned out, was fairly interesting to speak with and obviously quite bright, Mito thought. The pinkette had a litany of questions for Mito about where she'd traveled, the "kinds of people" that she'd met - and that was aside from what they'd been discussing with Tsunade for at least the last three hours: medical ninjutsu.

Mito began to think that maybe there was hope for her after all. Sakura may creep her out when it comes to her devotion to an incredibly broody, grieving Sasuke (something that Mito had been appalled by in the newest Academy graduates' multi-squad trainings) but like this - separated from Sasuke and Naruto a little and on-task? Sakura was fairly focused on her position and surroundings - even though this was her first time outside of the village. (And even though the girl would often and rather obviously check out Sasuke's behind.)

"Is there anyone else who hasn't been outside of the village before?"

Mito internally sulked when no one answered at first. Tsunade barked the same question at them, angry for her, and then Shino hesitantly raised his hand. Surprisingly, Sasuke let out a "hn" then, so Mito guessed that meant that he'd never left Konoha, either. Hinata found her voice and volunteered that she'd never been out of Fire Country - but had been to the capitol with her father and sister. Kiba and Naruto began discussing where they'd gone on a few weekend trips not too far away from Konoha, although Naruto said that he had been to Suna twice.

"Did you Hiraishin there?" Mito asked her little brother.

"Yeah, with Dad's guard. He's super weird about that stuff, ya know."

"Well, he's trying to protect you, Naruto," Mito said softly.

"I don't need protection!"

"Don't say stuff like that, please," Mito urged. She clearly heard Kakashi and Tsunade let out unhappy sighs from beside and behind her, too. "Let's not invite trouble, eh?" Naruto dramatically rolled his eyes and Mito wanted to squeeze the stuffing out of him. He was so cute, a total brat, and right there! "If we weren't on a mission, I would hug your brains out!"

"Nee-chan!" Naruto was turning red and fell out of formation to get away from her. Kakashi scolded him.

"Hn. That would only take a very small hug."

"Whaat?"

Kiba laughed. "Good one, Sasuke!" Wow, he hadn't said that very many times - if ever. He looked at a confused Naruto and snorted. "Baka! He means that it would only take a little hug because you've only got a little brain!"

Hinata quietly scolded her teammate from behind while Naruto began ranting and promising to kick Sasuke's ass and then his.

Mito grinned softly, glad that her little brother had nice friends. His team wasn't nearly as bad as she'd earlier thought. When they stopped to rest, she pulled out some paper and began writing her godfather a letter.

Dear Old Man,
Here's your manuscript. I've edited it but have some things I need to ask and mention.
First, are you doing okay? This book was a little more negative in tone than your others.
Maybe you can re-read it and see if you agree? Anyway, I was thinking that
you should market Tales/Gutsy to the schools. It's inspirational and could
provide a look inside the actual job of a ninja to young ones. -And make you a few bucks.
Let me know what you think.
Mi

What a shitty letter, Mito thought. If Jiraiya really was feeling down or something, she didn't want to make his mood worse - but on the other hand, his mood would probably be a WHOLE lot worse if he put out a book that got even worse reviews than was the norm or didn't sell well. The Sannin was sensitive about his writing.

She stepped away from the kids and summoned a very eager Shun for the first time. "Well, hi there! Your mother's letting you work alone?" Mito raised her brows at the young cheetah who seemed to only be interested in sneaking up on Akamaru. He was bent down with his shuddering rear in the air, his beautiful coat jumping up and down on his back as he readied himself —and BOOM. The puppy and cat went rolling.

Kiba rescued his partner while Akamaru barked his little head off, irritating Kakashi who pulled out a bottle of water and sprayed the young ninken (and Kiba.) He tried to spray Shun, too, but Shun was ridiculously fast.

And why is Kakashi carrying a spray bottle? Mito wondered. Oh, right. She had spray bottles inside her seals along with everything else. She had no idea how she'd find them among all the crap there, though. The seals all over her left leg were full of mostly household stuff.

Shun trotted back over to her. "What's my job, Mito-sama?"

Mito smiled and petted his silky coat. He was being so polite on his first job by himself! She bet his mother reminded him to behave himself. "I need you to take this to Jiraiya. You remember him, right?" She tucked the sealed manuscript and note into his little jacket.

"Yep," Shun replied. "Big, white-haired Super Pervert Gallant Something or Other."

"That's him. But I don't know where he is."

"I'll track him!"

"Wait!" *POOF*

Mito groaned, praying that her summons didn't show up somewhere he shouldn't, getting Jiraiya killed or something. Her stomach lurched just thinking about it.

"You sent that to The Pervert?" Tsunade asked. Mito nodded her head; she looked worried. "I could've gotten it to him via the slugs."

"Then why didn't you say anything?!" Tsunade shrugged. "Ah, I should've thought of it."

Mito pulled some ramen out of a seal and was nearly tackled by her ramen and orange-loving brother.

"Is that Ichirakus?!"

"It is," Mito drawled before sighing and giving up the game. She handed him a second bowl but warned him that he had to seal up his own food - and not just include cup ramen next time. And if I ever see you henging like me again, you're going to get intimately acquainted with my chains!


.


A giant gate opened to the teams. Mito had dropped her henge and felt herself grinning more and more genuinely when she felt the tightly-coiled chakra signature behind it. The Hermit's chakra hit her for the first time in SO long and she was almost overwhelmed by it.

Chiriku smiled at her. "Mito-hime. And Konoha nins. We were not expecting you." Mito went in for a hug, surprising him.

"Please don't call me that," she whispered. "We're friends. I'm just Mito, ne?"

"Who's this guy?" Naruto asked rudely. Kakashi bopped him and Mito smiled past wanting to do the same.

"This is my very good friend and comrade, Chiriku-sama." She went on to introduce the teams; Chiriku had met Kakashi and Tsunade before, of course, and was happy to finally meet her little brother. "Chiriku, I have a message for Daimyo-sama," she said in a very low voice as she passed him a scroll. Whispering, she asked if it was okay that she was there. She and Sora-kun had been kicked out, after all.

"Of course. Daimyo-sama is in a meeting." The way he momentarily glanced down and to the side told Mito that Daimyo-sama was probably doing something he shouldn't be doing. "Do you wish to wait for a reply?" Mito nodded. "Your party is welcome to rest here. Rooms will be provided; your old room is open, in fact."'

"That would be… really nice, to tell you the truth."

"We're going to get to see where you lived all that time, Ane?"

"Yessir. You're seeing it right now, in fact."

"Fancy, fancy," Kiba muttered as he looked around the ornate temple. He noticed his sensei and the monk giving each other fond but knowing looks. When they made it to the ninja monks' living quarters, he figured he found out why. "Wow. Uhh, this is a lot smaller than I figured." His face screwed up. "You lived here?"

It was not grand.

"I did; for many years! Do you want to see my room?" God, Mito felt like a moron (and Tsunade had snorted, making it worse) after she asked that but most of the kids seemed interested. Chiriku opened the door for her and Mito felt something akin to sadness wash over her. "It's small - and 'Ruto-chan's bird cage took up almost a third of it over my desk and more but umm… We gals can stay here tonight, ne? Make yourselves comfortable!"

"There's no way we'll fit," Tsunade groused. "Sakura-chan's with me. Hinata will stay with you."

Mito really thought they could all fit in here. Without the birdcage, maybe she could sleep on the desk if she had to?

The girls began unpacking and after Mito secured a few rooms for the guys, she wanted to disappear with Chiriku. First, though, she walked back to her old room, gesturing for Sakura and Tsunade to follow her. All of that warmth had left her as she vividly remembered what once happened to her here.

"Hinata, Sakura. I would feel much more comfortable with you two sticking together with Tsunade-hime unless she has business here - and if that's the case, please hang with the boys. If you'll," she began but then sighed and bit her lips. "Just.. stay aware while you're here, ne?" Both girls nodded but had gone from smiling to looking very worried, making Mito feel bad. They were just kids, after all - but she had only been a teenager, too, when she was taken from here. "Kakashi-san's in charge."

"W-we'll go to s-see him right a-away, s-sensei," Hinata assured her. The Genin jumped when she saw Kakashi-sensei outside the door.

She really needed to work on that.

"Thank you, and take your time, girls. Ah, bathrooms are in the building on the end, over in the back. It's for staff but, oh well: at least it's indoor plumbing, right?" Both girls nodded, agreeing with that. Mito asked Kakashi to watch her Genins - and he asked her not to leave the temple. She bobbed her head but went straight to Chiriku who was waiting for her.

"It's great to see you!"

"It is good to see you again, as well. I was pleased when you wrote," he told her. "You seem well."

"I'm doing okay. Thank you. You look good!" Chiriku shrugged amiably in a way that told her that he didn't really care - something Mito knew was very true when it came to him. He still looked good, though: very handsome and still very bald. He smelled great, too. Too bad he's taken a vow of celibacy and staying away from worldly temptations. "I'd love to see everyone." He nodded. So why is he leading me to where we once sparred together as young teens in secret? "Chiriku?"

The head ninja monk sighed and continued walking. When they reached a spot near the temple's high walls, he asked her to put down a silencing seal. "This is top secret, Mito. Your timing, coming today, I hope, will be fortuitous. We've had some kids go missing. And even a few adults, including Tou."

"What? –Oh, no. Tell me everything."


.


Kakashi began explaining more about the mission the next morning. "We'll be guarding the perimeter with Mito's clones when we reach the Uzumaki shrine." He narrowed his eye at his team who didn't seem the least bit happy about that.

Mito picked up from there. "The Uzumaki shrine contains relics unique to our clan: ones that should NOT be touched by a non-Uzumaki. To that end, it's sheltered by a genjutsu that I would suggest you stay away from. The temple's… small and needs work, anyway." And oh, didn't saying that make her feel awkward and guilty? "Today's a step in the shrine's revitalization, right, Naruto?"

Naruto nodded and felt a lump forming in his throat. He seemed unusually serious, which Mito appreciated right now. The two teams ran straight for the shrine and Mito was proud that her team was faster than Team 7. Kakashi didn't like that at all!

Serves him right. That man needed to get serious about teaching his students!

After setting up a perimeter outside of where she felt the genjutsu, Mito had to carry Naruto inside. I swear, Kakashi. You have GOT to work on Naruto with at least breaking genjutsus. Who was she kidding? –She'd do it herself. He should've been fine coming through!

Once inside the vortex, she put her little brother down and released the genjutsu on him. He flopped to the ground and shivered.

Mito took a deep breath and hoped that Naruto wasn't too disappointed with the temple's condition. "It may not look like much right now but we'll get it back to prime shape, won't we, Tsunade?"

Outside the vortex, one of Kakashi's ninken got a little too close and tried to remember where he was until Sasuke pulled him away from the lost, odd sensation he'd been experiencing. "That was… weird."

Inside it, Tsunade ran her fingers through Naruto's hair. "Are you ready, kid?"

Naruto staggered a step but smiled broadly. "Yeah! Let's go see." Was it just him or did this place feel creepy? –He thought the shrine would make him feel serene or something but it didn't.

"Don't touch anything unless I say it's okay, alright?" Naruto bobbed his head as he fiddled with his fingers and Mito led him to the first step to enter the shrine where she stopped him, holding her hand out in front of him to ensure that he didn't trip or anything. "Remember - and repeat after me, step by step. We'll be allowed to go up, step by step if you say the right words, have Uzumaki blood, and remember that we have the ability to roll through life's waves, ne?"

For some reason, Naruto was scared. He nodded anyway. He could and would definitely roll through life's waves!

"My heart pumps with the flow of the sea," Mito said firmly, once again taking the first step of nine to enter the shrine. Naruto shakily repeated the words as he took a step up, as did Tsunade. "You can't stop the sea but you can learn to surf on it."

Tsunade gave Mito a deadpan, vexed look over Naruto's head, and mouthed, "You made that up" but hissed what Mito had said anyway after Naruto did. Both women were a little surprised (and a little put out) when they were allowed to move forward anyway, and wondered if this was really necessary.

Tradition dictates we do it, one way or another.

"When in doubt, paddle out."

THAT was one step too far for Tsunade. "I am not saying that!"

The Slug Sannin was sent flying backward by an invisible force, beyond the vortex and out to where the teams were patrolling. Mito cackled but held on to a silent, gawking Naruto. From that point, she thought she'd better get serious.

"We're all equals, a community: a family, in and above the waves and storms…"

"The foam of the waves is in my blood," were the final words that allowed them into the shrine itself. "Maa, here we are. So. What do you think, Naruto?"

"It's um… scary as hell, really."

"It sure is!" Mito pulled him to the far side. "Check out the koi pond, it'll make you feel better; really. And then we'll get to work. –We've got a lot to do."

Naruto hummed as he watched the big koi fish swim around. They were beautiful and hypnotic. "I really am starting to feel better, 'ttebayo! But… what's the deal with those masks?" He pointed to the wall.

"Naruto," Mito breathed in a slightly scolding tone - he was supposed to have read the shrine's scrolls about the masks hanging on the wall. When she looked over at the frightening things, however, she immediately noticed that one was missing. The Death God's mask is gone. "Ohhhhh no. But that means another Uzumaki's been here!" Her heart had begun to thump in her chest. "There's no other way, 'ttebane!"