N aru had known the moment that Jiraiya had come to get her what exactly was happening. Zabuza had returned and with him he had brought along two of the Rebellion's strongest fighters. The whole plan that they had made months ago was coming together and was about to play out.

Jiraiya had mentioned that he wanted to take her on a training trip to explore the world and start establishing contacts with those everywhere. Jiraiya wanted her to get her foot into the door over becoming the spymaster he was. The contacts would also help bring back the Uzumaki name and set one for her so that when the time was right, she would have everything she needed to work through her own problems. This was the kickstart to her taking Jiraiya's place as the spymaster of Konoha.

Akihane just hadn't expected for the time to be so soon after everything that had happened.

She minutely registered the bickering of both the Shodai and the Nidai in her head, causing a rather unwelcome headache up until the Kyuubi had shouted at them both to shut the hell up. Her seal tingled pleasantly against her stomach, the cool blue kanji lessening the queasiness in her stomach as she approached the Kage Tower behind Jiraiya. The man was rather quiet and somber, giving Aki a hint over what was to come. He was also wary about the next steps that they would take and how their actions would affect Akihane.

Tsunade had decided that now was the time to send Akihane off with Jiraiya but doing it when Zabuza arrived meant that their first stop was no doubt in Kiri. Because of that Akihane also deduced that the advisers were there for good will and to plead their case with Tsuna-Hime so that they could get more help. That also meant that Akihane wouldn't be going alone. Tsunade couldn't send any of her more promising Jonin such as Kakashi or one of her commanders because of all that had happened and how they were still recovering from the invasion, but she could send the second best to those. Just like with the mission to the Land of Tea, Tsunade would have to choose carefully. Aki brought her hand under her chin, tilting her head as she mulled those thoughts over. The wind rustled her hair, setting the spikes into a flurry over her head.

Jiraiya took a moment to look at her from the corner of his eye, a string of surprise shooting through him as he realized just how much Akihane looked like her father when she was mulling over things like that. He swore that Sarutobi had mentioned the Nidaime also made that pose often, which meant Naru was more like her great grandfather than just looking like him.

Aki was unaware of her Godfather's thoughts and was still sifting through all the information that had been presented to her.

The Kiri Rebellion was going to require a strategist, someone with influential power on the field and in politics. They were going to need someone with a name that would have people rooting for them and they would need someone who could play the darker side of the war. An infiltration team that specialized in espionage and counterintelligence was the most likely choice. That meant the Akihane and Jiraiya would be going as both political and standing power, while someone like Shikaku and Inoichi would be used for intelligence. That then left those going for espionage, and for that there would no doubt be ANBU operatives or similar. All in all, Naru guessed that the team would be about six to ten members in total including several that had worked together before.

She could hear the bickering in her head stop as both the previous Kage took in her line of thinking, the Nidaime seeming to appreciate her thoughts the most.

Naru cleared her head as she dropped beside Jiraiya at the Hokage's window, the two of them flaring their chakra before they slipped into the crowded room. Tsunade had turned toward them, her gaze hard and completely different from the woman Naru had grown close to on her retrieval mission with Jiraiya.

Akihane headed the Hokage with a tilt of her head as she settled in front of the group all gathered in Tsunade's office. She picked out Shikamaru, Haku, Genma, Raidou, and Tenzo. The other one she did not recognize. Then there was Zabuza and his two tag-a-longs. One was rather young looking and he had blue hair shining silver, his face obscured by glasses while a large and oddly shaped blade rested on his back. He wore the tradition gear of a Kiri Shinobi. The other Shinobi wore an eyepatch around his right eye and had a green yukata edged with brown covering his form. His hair was a blue shade and spike off to the side like Kakashi's but less extreme.

The two blue haired shinobi eyed her somewhat distrustfully, neither of them knowing exactly who she was. Of course, Akihane didn't know them either, which led her to looking toward Tsunade for help.

Tsunade smirked at her distant relative while gesturing to the other nin.

"Akihane, please meet the Mizu representatives. The older one is Ao, while the younger is Chojuro. They are here to ask for Konoha's aid."

The Hokage explained, drawing out a gentle sigh from Akihane before she faced them both and inclined her head.

"I'm glad you decided to consider making allies with us. My name is Uzumaki Akihane Naru."

Aki looked up at the two as she rose, the two nodding in her direction. A faint blush dotted the younger Nin's cheeks, which made her want to raise a brow. The older one also showed a sharper interest in her as he heard her name. Instead of commenting Akihane glanced back to her Kage for instruction.

Tsunade cleared her throat, gartering the attention of all those present. She glanced over each and every one before she spoke. "I have decided to aid Kiri's Rebellion forces in their push against Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage. As such I needed a particular group for this to work. Jiraiya, you are to be the Main Commander. Under you will be Namiashi Raidou and Shiranui Genma. Next will be Shizune and Tenzo Yamato. After them are Uzumaki Naru, Nara Shikamaru, Sai, and Yuuki Haku. You are the task force for this mission. Your details are as follows- "

Tsunade paused for affect, taking in everyone's calm but focused gazes before she continued.

"You are to aid in the retaking of Kiri under the command of Terumi Mei, the leader of the Rebellion. While there you will follow Jiraiya's orders next to Terumi Mei's and you will provide what is needed. Your selections for this mission are based off these parameters. Uzumaki Naru and Jiraiya are for combat and intelligence backing. Namiashi Raidou, Shiranui Genma, and Nara Shikamaru are to provide frontline support as well as mission setup. Shizune and Yuuki Haku are in charge of Medical Relief while Tenzo Yamato and Sai will be used for espionage and counter-intelligence."

Akihane's gaze narrowed when she heard the positions. Her mind was running through the many possibilities as well as how each portion would work together. When thinking about it an idea came to mind. She stepped forward, drawing attention to her. Tsunade seemed to be expecting her to speak up, however, and nodded for her to state her thoughts. Akihane did not disappoint with her next words. "Tsuna-Hime, I can see your thoughts involving the team, however I do have a few questions. I am wondering if this will be enough and whether you could add a few shinobi for support. I'm suggesting adding either Mitarashi Anko or Uzuki Yugao because of their backgrounds. Yugao-San could easily add power to both our Medical and espionage groups while also aiding in the support area. Mitarashi Anko is also good because of her current place and the fact that she knows how to gather information."

Akihane's suggestion was far from descriptive to those who didn't know the people she had mentioned, but with foreign powers mere feet away, Naru couldn't afford to give away certain things.

Either way the Godaime had understood her request and was smirking over Naru's thoughts. She was proud of the Gaki's use of her brain as well as the amount of time it took her to process the right Nin for the job while disregarding personal opinions. Tsunade quickly replied to Akihane, enjoying the questioning looks from both Ao and Chojuro. Of course, Tenzo and Sai shared looks over Akihane's rather easy going and influential nature regarding the Kage despite her rank.

"I understand your point, Akihane. That said I know that Mitarashi Anko is currently too busy with our current predicament. Otherwise…I believe that Uzuki Yugao is a very good edition to your team. She is currently away on a mission, but once she has returned, I will send her along with you."

Akihane didn't reply to Tsunade verbally and instead inclined her head before she stepped back next to her Godfather. The man looked rather pleased with her and even rested his right hand on her shoulder while sending the ivory teen a smirk to show what he thought.

The Uzumaki looked away to hide the flush on her cheeks, giving Tsunade the opening to speak again.

"Alright. I believe that that should be it. This mission is classified as an extended A-Rank and will be treated accordingly. You all have until dawn tomorrow to get ready to leave. Now…You are dismissed, though Akihane if you would stay a little longer." Tsunade finished speaking by waving her hand to dismiss the others, leaving Akihane to stand by her Godfather while the three standing by Tsunade's desk glanced to her for instruction. Shizune leaned down to tell Tsunade she would be leaving momentarily, just before she vanished in a swift Shunshin.

Once the door had closed, Tsunade allowed her shoulders to relax. Being the Hokage was tiring, and she wasn't sure how the old fool had managed to last that long in the cursed seat.

Akihane had sensed the tension and so she moved to her leader's desk, walking around the side to gently press her hand to Tsunade's forehead.

"You'll wear yourself out if you keep that up, Tsuna-Hime." Akihane commented idly, her hand beginning to glow a light green as she soothed the headache at the edge of her leader's temples. Tsunade cast a weak glare at the girl before she looked toward their company.

Akihane pulled away while she smiled gently, glancing toward their guests. Her blue eyes settled on Zabuza, a sly grin threatening to break over her features.

"Zabuza-San, how have you been? I hope you haven't threatened to chop anyone's legs off lately..." Zabuza looked confused once Akihane had trailed off before he huffed and leaned down to be eye-to-eye with the rather short Jinchuuriki.

"Better shut it Gaki, otherwise I might have to teach you a lesson. Sharingan Kakashi isn't here to save you this time."

The Uzumaki did not looked fazed at all by Zabuza's threat, instead she idly leaned toward the nin and reached for a kunai on the side of her pouch. Her eyes fell shut, giving her rather unsettling smile and even more crazed look than before. She spoke gently when she did reply to the swordsman. "Try it; I've been needing a testing dummy for one of my newest tags…"

Tsunade huffed and reached over to smack her Goddaughter over the head, earning her a wince from the normally stoic Uzumaki.

" Now isn't the time to be threatening foreigners Akihane. It's bad enough that Iwa thinks you're the second coming of your mother, no need to make Kiri think the same." Tsunade told the girl with a slightly narrowed gaze, humor hidden beneath her telling smirk.

The ivory teen muttered gently and nodded to her leader, ignoring the confused looks that continued to grow on the faces of their guests.

Zabuza raised a brow at the girl, wondering what all had occurred in the time he was gone. He knew about Konoha being invaded from Haku, but he didn't have the details from the events that had occurred after the Second Exam.

Akihane took a breath before she finally addressed the reason she was still in the room. "Well then, what was it you needed, Tsuna-Hime?"

Tsunade leaned forward as she gained a rather telling look in her honey orbs.

Instantly Aki straightened up, her muscles tensed as she waited for the information her Godmother was going to give her.

"With you going to Kiri tomorrow there will be a change of plans regarding the…exposure of your parent's identities. Iwa already knows, especially since you pulled that stunt with Oniki." At the mention of Naru's use of her father's technique to save the Hokage in front of the Tsuchikage, Naru winced. She hadn't had much choice in the matter after all. Her actions may have condemned her in the eyes of many of the Rock Nin, but it had redeemed the image of Konoha Nin for most. Of course, Oniki hadn't had a problem with her, and that would help, but people loved to hold onto grudges.

Tsunade cast a glance to the other Kiri Nin, gesturing to Akihane again.

"As you will have her under your protection for the foreseeable future, I've decided that she can entrust you with this information. Do not break our trust."

The Hokage narrowed her eyes as she finished speaking, Aki glancing toward the other Nin with a soft mutter. She then bowed her head once more, this time introducing herself officially.

"My name is Namikaze/Uzumaki Akihane Naru, current clan head to the Uzumaki, soon to be the Namikaze clan head as well once I reach Jonin Rank."

There was a beat of shocked silence for a tense minute. All eyes were on Akihane, but she held firm and stood tall, meeting their gazes evenly. It was Zabuza that broke the silence first, his mouth twisting up into a grin underneath his bandages.

"Ah, I knew it! I knew I had seen that face somewhere before. Namikaze aye...? And the mention of a technique…Does that mean that you can use the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Zabuza fired off, earning a smile from Akihane as she nodded to his question. "I am currently learning how to use it, but it has been…fruitful." She offered the nin.

Zabuza stepped forward and the two met face-to-face. Jiraiya moved to step between them, but Akihane halted him with a hand.

"I take it you want to have a go at it, see just how fast it is?" Akihane taunted Zabuza, earning another feral grin.

"Gaki, you have yourself a spar." He said, the room filling with a heavy weight. The two broke eye contact and everything dissolved as they turned and faced the shocked faces of their other guests.

Tsunade muttered under her breath about getting a drink after this as she watched the two Kiri representatives look over Akihane again, really look over her this time. They could see her, in her finer aspects, and in everything that she did. She was a masterpiece, a child born not only of prophecy, but of power. She had the blood and blessings of the Kage on her shoulders.

And yet, Akihane was still only a teenager and a Chunin Shinobi. She wasn't something entirely special, she just had a greater start than most, even if it was dampened by prejudice. She was a girl who had looked hell in the eyes as she walked through it. She pushed past the difficulties that piled up on her shoulders and came out with more than a couple allies at the top.

"Oh, and if you really want a spar then I ask you let me try out my newest weapon." Akihane spoke up, and she reached around to swipe her hand over her side, summoning a weapon from the seals there.

Zabuza eyed her closely and let loose a sharp whistle as he recognized the handle of the blade, or at least part of it. He even knew that the quality of the metal had to be above even his paygrade. Aki hummed and lightning sparked along the handle of the blade as her fingers tapped it.

"It's a momento of sorts too. I took the shattered remains of the Thunder God Blade and forged it with my father's blade.

"Isn't that…?" Chojuro spoke up from behind her, his eyes wide as he gazed at the blade she held. Akihane winked at him, before she desummoned the blade and settled next to her Hokage again. She was waiting for orders.

Tsunade smiled fondly at her goddaughter, understanding just how proud the girl was to hold that weapon at her side. It was after all, a testament to the Nidaime and the Yondaime tied together in a way that made the blade truly Akihane's. Seals were worked over the blade and handle, the thrum of lightning chakra inside echoing to all in the room.

Zabuza looked to be itching for a fight now as he cast his eyes on Akihane's blade. There was only so much one could do to keep a swordsman away from such a work of art.

"Alright Gaki, you're free to go. I wanted to give you a head's up before tomorrow when the official announcement is. Kakashi should have returned by then and your brothers will all be in attendance as well." Tsunade told the girl.

Akihane reached over to gently hug Tsunade's side before she slipped away, bowing at the woman and at their guests.

"Thank you. Zabuza, should you want your spar I will be heading to Training Ground Nine to meet up with my teammate." Akihane told the man as she left the room, dismissed by a wave of Tsunade's hand. Jiraiya moved to follow her but was dragged back by Tsunade, her words fading as the door closed behind Akihane.

Aki paused when she looked up to see the waiting figures of Genma and Raidou. Genma raised a brow at her. She laughed at the two.

"Looks like I don't have to be careful about using the Flying Thunder God anymore." Aki told the two as her smile softened.

They both looked shocked for a moment before Genma shook his head and laughed with her. "Well then, might as well practice a little." He said, and with a flicker of chakra and a blur of brown he was gone.

Raidou shook his head and followed as well, Akihane feeling a rush of happiness as she flickered out of the space in a rush of silver.

When she reappeared, she raised her hand to block a blow to her side, stepping around a kick that broke the ground below her.

She raised her eyes to the utterly shocked one's of Sakura and grinning before pushing Sakura back and inserting herself firmly into the spar between the pink haired kunoichi and a green blur that had nearly kicked a hole through her shoulders.

The two other Konoha shinobi were incredibly shocked by Akihane appearing in the middle of them, but they soon focused on the fight again and let Aki shift through her stances as she worked them both into the ground.

For some reason Akihane was smiling and laughing as she continued their spar, her hair weaving around her as she twisted and dodged. A blow from her elbow to Sakura's side put her teammate on the floor, and a few well-placed kicks sunk Lee firmly into a tree.

Even as the other two shinobi gasped and laughed, Akihane was bouncing and looking lighter than ever.

"Akihane, what was that?! You appeared out of nowhere and just- "A voice called form the side, dragging Akihane's attention to Tenten from where she was rushing over to help Lee up.

"Yosh! Akihane has sprouted like a spring blossom and is filled with such youth! I would recognize that technique anywhere, is it true that you are now able to reveal it to others?" Gai shouted from across the training ground. Akihane waved at him as he approached, settling down from her shifting feet to only be rocking on them as her glee subsided some amount.

"Yes, it is true. Tsuna-Hime is going to announce it officially tomorrow, so I no longer have to hide it. I'm just a little excited, sorry about that Sakura, Lee." Aki told the two sheepishly, walking over to help Sakura up from her spot on the ground.

Sakura blinked and let her teammate help her to her feet. She eyed Aki a little more, taking in the way Aki seemed to vibrate in place. For some reason…She had a bit of an idea what was going on.

"Well, glad to see you got yourself into more trouble Akihane. Can't you go anywhere without getting into trouble?" Genma called out from his spot next to Gai, earning the Tokujou a smile from Aki.

"And put you out of a job Genma-Ni? Never. I just wanted to keep you on your toes. Besides, I won." Akihane told the man. If she were feeling any more childish, she might have stuck her tongue out at him, but she was still dignified.

Tenten walked over to stand beside Akihane as she looked her over, Lee vibrating with excitement next to them. Gai was still grinning at Akihane with his arm thrown over Genma's shoulder, something that Genma didn't seem to mind a bit. Next to Genma Raidou was silently shaking his head, an amused grin on his face.

"So, what was it that Gai-Sensei was talking about then Akihane? And why did you drop between Lee and I?" Sakura asked her teammate.

Aki turned to Sakura and then drew a kunai from her belt. It was a kunai in the shape of her father's, only the seal on the surface had been modified. It was shifted to hold her mark now. She had been trying to add Genma and the others' marks, but the matrixes were incredibly delicate, so she hadn't been able to just yet.

Sakura paused and then glanced down to her belt, to the pouch where she kept the same kunai. Akihane had given it to her the day before when they passed by each other leaving Tsunade's office. Aki had only told her to keep it on her person and nothing else.

"It's called a Thunder God Kunai Sakura." Akihane told the girl, knowing that the hint would be more than enough for her analytical friend.

Sakura looked up at her sharply, before glancing back down at the kunai in Aki's hand. She ran through several moments of though before she seemed to arrive at the conclusion that Akihane was hinting at.

"Wait, Gai-Sensei said that these were your father's- "Sakura muttered, her eyes widening on Aki as her teammate nodded, her smile settling into something small and soft. She knew that Sakura would figure it out.

"You're…You're the Yondaime's daughter?" Sakura asked her, and when she received an incline of her friend's head she had to take in a deep breath.

Next to Akihane both Lee and Tenten had given her reproachful looks. They looked to Gai for confirmation, but the man was already reaching to drag Akihane into a tight hug.

"I'm sure they'd be incredibly proud to see you take up their names again Akihane! Yes, this is the most youthful endeavor!" Gai cried out, earning a laugh from Aki as she felt her cheeks darken in color.

Something warm festered in her chest as she was soon swarmed by everyone with questions, her entire being feeling whole. Aki felt complete in this moment, surrounded by friends with very little secrets between them.

She knew that no matter what happened tomorrow, she would always remember this feeling.

I~~~~I

Later that day, as Akihane was showing Sakura and Lee her new blade as well as the way it channeled lightning chakra, Zabuza arrived. The younger of his companions had joined him along with Haku.

"Oi, Gaki. I was promised a spar with that fancy blade of yours." Zabuza called out to Akihane.

From where Aki was standing as lighting coursed through her blade, she nodded, and the element fizzled out around the blade before she sheathed it.

"Sure, just get over here and I can wipe the floor with you." Akihane told the man, her voice taking on an oddly boastful edge. Sakura had to take a second look to make sure that Akihane was herself and not Sasuke skillfully henged. She could hardly believe that her teammate was taunting Zabuza.

The other shinobi cleared away to stand at the side, Genma stepping up to act as a bit of a referee in the friendly spar. When he told them to start the two swordsman launched at one another, blades drawn.

Just as Zabuza was going to meet Akihane's lash though, the girl shifted under and around his large sword to take a slice at his side.

Zabuza collapsed in a splash of water as Aki drove her blade through him, making her sigh as she expanded her senses.

She whipped around to block a blow from behind, shifting her stance as the two then began to trade strikes.

The clinging of metal was heard as they shifted and danced, Akihane predicting Zabuza's moves astoundingly quickly while the man grinned. They both looked to be enjoying themselves and dancing around one another.

A flicker of chakra had Akihane pushing her foot against the ground to summon up a wall of earth, blocking the burst of water chakra that Zabuza had summoned in a wave. She then flashed through signs and held them, summoning several clones as she lept over the wall and around it on either side to encircle her target.

Zabuza clashed with the three clones, cleaving one in half and headbutting the second as they both vanished into smoke. He flipped his blade around to drive it into Akihane, only for water to splash in his face.

His eyes widened and a flicker of silver appeared behind him before Akihane armed her blade, charging it with lightning and striking at Zabuza.

Zabuza twisted around, even as the lightning shocked across his form, trying to drive his blade into Aki's side.

Aki flashed away in a blur of silver again, this time appearing on the other side of her earth wall.

Zabuza could see it, but Akihane dropped a tag on the ground before she flickered across the field near a kunai she had used in her spar with Lee and Sakura.

Zabuza turned to face her as he shook off the rest of the lightning, humming appreciatively.

"You're strikes have gotten stronger and that blade's lightning is no joke. I'm surprised that you are able to use that technique so much though." Zabuza called out to her.

Aki merely shrugged at the man, reaching around to her back pouch, and pulling out a kunai.

She dashed back at Zabuza with a flicker of shunshin, her blade once again meeting Zabuza's. They pushed faster this time and Akihane forced herself to flicker in and out using bursts of speed with the shunshin as she attacked. Her kunai whipped around and drew close to Zabuza's shoulder, but the man twisted around, and she cursed. She flickered out in a Shunshin again as the man nearly cleaved her torso in half.

"You are really quick with that blade, you know?" Aki said through a slight intake of breath, her lips quirking into a smile. She was reminded of her match with Shisui Kopei in the Chunin Exams, and it made her blood sing.

She launched her Kunai at Zabuza, watching as he blocked the blade. It tinged off the metal, landing on the ground in front of Zabuza. As it did, Akihane reached and…

She sprang up from below Zabuza, dragging her had across her other weapon pouch to draw out her other blade as she brought both to bare against the swordsman.

While Akihane pushed at Zabuza and the two both gained feral grins, Sakura watched them closely.

Akihane didn't rely on the Flying Thunder God technique alone. No, she used it as needed and mostly as a deflection or a last minute. She was also still a few feet off from her target each time from what Sakura could see, though it was getting close each time that she jumped.

Her eyes trailed the two blades that Akihane wielded against her opponent. It was as she did that Sakura observed the shift in Akihane's stance and the way she tilted the blade-

Her eyes widened and Sakura had to focus more clearly on Akihane's movements.

The girl was going through hand signs as she was dueling Zabuza, subtly shifting her fingers into the correct signs and channeling chakra along the surface of her blade. Signs that Sakura was sure were for a water Jutsu.

Akihane had channeled lightning through her first blade, but Sakura knew both blades were often used with wind chakra, at least before the first had shattered. Had Akihane figured out how to channel her water chakra as well?

To answer Sakura, Akihane pulsed her chakra one last time and brought her blades down on Zabuza, water swelling and rising along the metal before exploding out over Zabuza in a serrated wave.

The burst of chakra and water shoved Zabuza back as he lost his footing. He brought his blade up to guard, but it was in that moment that he sealed the fate of the duel.

Akihane flashed out of place, appearing again standing on top of Zabuza's blade. She grinned at Zabuza, and her chakra flared before she exploded in a burst of lightning.

Sakura stepped forward in shock, only to be stopped by Genma placing a hand on her shoulder.

There was a laugh from the side, and back where Akihane had left her Kunai in the field in her previous spar, back where she had appeared after using a mud wall, Akihane stood. She reached out and picked up the dropped kunai, walking over to where the hunched figure of Zabuza stood. He was undergoing light shocks as the remainders of what could have only been a combination exploding and lightning clone ran through his body. He was soaked as well, so that didn't help.

Aki reached out and as she touched Zabuza the lightning funneled out of him and into the blade she held in her other hand. It sizzled and sang, settling into the metal before she let go.

"Eh, sorry about that Zabuza. I wanted to try out that new technique. I was supposed to use it on Kakashi-Sensei but…well he's been on a mission for a bit." Aki told the man sheepishly.

Zabuza groaned, dragging himself up to his feet.

"Fair enough, damn…how'd you store that much water in there?" Zabuza asked her.

Akihane met his gaze evenly and shrugged. "I put storage seals tailored to elements on the blades. I kept funneling water-chakra into the blade's storage and then I released it all at once. I can do the same for all the other elements, though only one element at a time. I realized that if I could use more than the element that the blade was tailored for, then it would make for a nasty surprise. The clone was an interesting discovery from when I made a Shadow Clone with excess lightning chakra in the mix rather than the Fire Chakra used for Kamikaze clones." Akihane informed the man, rubbing the back of her head.

Sakura felt her thoughts rush past as she tried to wrap her head around what Akihane had done. While channeling chakra Akihane had placed the seal bellow Zabuza as well, a seal for binding that kept the man in place. She had also some how marked her seal onto the surface of Zabuza's blade without him noticing.

Even now, as Sakura walked closer and could see Zabuza's blade, she couldn't see where Akihane had marked it.

Akihane hummed and when she was asked about it by Genma, she pointed to the kunai on the ground.

"I just over-fed chakra in the same amount that I had the others and then refined the control of it so it would land me in the right area." Akihane told Genma, earning a raised brow.

Genma looked back at the Kunai and then at Zabuza's sword, gauging something in his head.

"I'm…I'm somehow surprised about that when I shouldn't be. You are really something Naru." Genma told the girl, his eyes never leaving that space as he tried to wrap his head around the way Akihane had done that.

Raidou sighed and dragged Akihane into his side.

"I wondered why you kept changing your distances on your jumps. You were gauging how much chakra would be needed for that final jump, weren't you?" He asked the ivory teen.

Akihane rubbed the back of her head as she nodded. "Yeah. I kept getting the distance off by a few centimeters and that would have meant slipping off the blade or even driving my clone right into Zabuza's blade, so I wanted to get it right. Also, the area of effectiveness would be toned down the further from the ground that the lightning was, so I decided to get it off the ground with the blade. It the blade wasn't all metal it would have helped to lessen it, but it was a pretty good conductor so Zabuza got more of a shock than I intended. Maybe next time I should have it over his head- "Akihane muttered as she dissolved into calculating what she would need to do to get the technique just right.

Zabuza was eyeing the girl carefully, along with his fellow swordsman Chojuro. Chojuro was mildly shocked as he watched the girl run through the spar that had finished. He had been more surprised by how well thought out the girl was, and how she tackled the battle with Zabuza with ease. It had been some time since he had seen someone with an analytical mind to rival that of Terumi Mei or even Yagura.

Somehow, Chojuro thought that this girl wasn't giving it her all either. She was very intriguing though and her skills with a blade were at least Jonin-Level, if not nearing specialty like Zabuza and himself.

He would have to ask the girl to show him that blade of hers some time too, he had a feeling that she hadn't revealed even half of what it could do in an actual battle were she was holding back to keep from killing her comrades.

Even so, it seemed that sparring was finished for the day as Akihane was dragged from her thoughts by her pink-haired teammate. The kunoichi was asking the blonde about her heritage again.

Akihane tilted her head and then rubbed the back of it with a hand. She was rather sheepish about the matter since Tsunade had sprung the matter on her with little warning. It was mostly because of the new mission she had, but it was still surprising enough for the kunoichi. She had been waiting for forever to tell Sakura about her parents though. It felt a little unfair for the girl to be the only member of Team Seven that was left out of the loop.

"Oh, Sakura, I forgot to mention it, but I'll be leaving for some time." Akihane spoke up.

Sakura blinked and she rose a brow as she crossed her arms at her teammate.

"Where are you headed, and for how long?" Sakura asked the girl.

Naru's smile turned sad. She met Sakura's eyes and as she did Sakura seemed to realize that this wasn't a simple mission that her teammate was leaving on.

"Tsuna-Hime cleared the Kiri mission. As of tomorrow, I'll be part of a task force meant to aid the Kiri Rebellion. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone for, but Ero-Senin is using this as an excuse to take me on a training trip as well. He said it could take years…" Akihane told her friend, growing sadder as she spoke up.

Before, Akihane hadn't really realized how long she would be away from her friends. Now it was hitting her.

It just meant she had to make those years worth it. She needed to grow stronger and learn as much as she could. If she didn't, well she didn't want to think about how disappointed she would be with herself.

Akihane looked up to meet Sakura's gaze again, but she was surprised when she was slammed into. Arms circle around her and it took a moment for Akihane to realize that Sakura was hugging her.

Taking a moment to stand in shock, Akihane slowly rose to wrap her arms around her friend.

She closed her eyes and let Sakura hug her, hugging the kunoichi back with all her strength as she thought about what tomorrow would bring.

"You better come back you Baka." Sakura muttered in her ear, earning a soft laugh as Akihane struggled not to get choked up.

She was really grateful for Sakura. A few months ago, she never would have thought she'd see Sakura as one of her closest friends, but now she did.

Akihane closed her eyes and took the time to enjoy the warm feeling in her chest, the expanding sense of home.

If she took a little bit longer to let go of Sakura then what was normal, then no one told her as much.

I~~~~I

"I'm home." Akihane called out as she stepped into her apartment. She slipped off her shoes and set them in their cubby before closing the door behind her.

She walked into the kitchen area where she heard voices and paused.

Sasuke was standing next to Hinata, both of them arguing over a cookbook while Hinata brandished a spoon and Sasuke calmly chopped some vegetables on the counter.

"You can't just add tomatoes to every dish! It doesn't fit with the rest of it- "Hinata was scolding the boy.

Akihane peaked over Sasuke's shoulders, shocking him as she took in the soup on the stove and the array of fresh vegetables that he was preparing.

"Ah, so that's what you are up to." Akihane spoke, her hair tickling the edges of Sasuke's cheek.

The Uchiha froze up, his cheeks turning a dark red as he realized how close she was. He could even smell the faint hint of oakwood and water, something that he knew meant she had been practicing her Mokuton today.

"Sasuke?" Naru spoke, turning her head. She blinked and smiled at the boy before stepping out of his space and walking to Hinata.

Hinata paused to meet the girl's gaze, a faint blush also appearing on her cheeks as she noticed that Akihane was in her personal space.

Sasuke glared at the Hyuuga, making her smirk back over Akihane's shoulder. She then gently stepped aside so that Akihane could look at the soup they were making.

"Oh, is it ramen broth?" Akihane asked as she took a deep breath.

Hinata nodded and smiled at her friend. "We figured that you're going away meal should be something like this." Hinata told her.

Akihane met Hinata's eyes with a look of shock before she smiled gently. In a stroke of odd affection, Akihane tugged Hinata into a hug. She then turned around and did the same to Sasuke, resting her head on the boy's shoulder.

"This is amazing, thank you. I couldn't think of a better way to spend tonight." She told the two. She had sent the two information on her new mission using her Nin hound, Yuki, earlier when she was sparring with Zabuza. The hound was currently resting in her room after a day of running about as training. Naru was grateful for the hound since he was well mannered and helped lesson her responsibilities.

Akihane shifted around her friends, letting the two go as she grabbed the bowls they'd need and readied them for use. She also grabbed her silverware and went to set the table up.

She moved gracefully across the floors, feeling more like she was dancing to a happy melody as she worked through her tasks.

The burning warmth inside of her was only growing, making her itch with the need to do more, to see more and to be next to her important people.

Only when the food was finished and Sasuke and Hinata joined her at the table did the Uzumaki finally settle down. She was smiling as they went through their routine and even as she ate, she never lost the glow that seemed to radiate from her.

Sasuke and Hinata were happy that she was feeling so enthused, dragging her into conversations about their plans for the coming years and what would happen while Naru was out on her mission.

After the food was finished Naru and Sasuke stepped into the kitchen to clean up while Hinata took the first shower of the night. She had a night shift at the hospital soon, so she was going to get cleaned up before.

Akihane finished drying the last of the dishes, taking the time to put each one away.

She hardly noticed Sasuke's eyes on her, the way he trailed her every move and kept watch.

When she finally finished, he smirked at her and offered his hand.

"Naru, how about you come with me for a second. I have something for you." Sasuke told her, reveling in the way the Uzumaki's cheeks flushed when he called her by her name.

Akihane nodded and took his hand, her smile softening before turning into a shocked look as Sasuke tugged her with him into a shunshin.

She allowed it, letting his steps guide her as they appeared in a flurry of wind next to a familiar house.

"Sasuke, what's this- "Akihane started to ask, her brow furrowing until Sasuke gently tugged her into the house.

The house was her parent's home, the place she had inherited and the same place that she had found all of her father's and mother's belongings in.

Now, stepping inside Akihane was greeted with the quiet and dark setting of the room, right up until Sasuke lifted his hand and chakra sparked.

When it lit up, Naru watched the boy grab a box from the table.

"Here, it took some time…but I think this belongs to you." Sasuke told her.

Naru raised a brow, but she shook her head and looked down at the box. She gently ran her hand over it and froze when she felt the familiar signature inside. She opened the lid and nearly dropped the box in shock.

Akihane looked sharply at the Uchiha, but he merely nodded and encouraged her to continue.

Akihane shakily took the framed photo out of the box, feeling her cheeks grow wet as her shoulders shook. She brushed her thumb across the glass, across the smiling photo of a boy she hadn't seen in years.

Shisui stood next to an unfamiliar Uchiha female, the two smiling brightly while their heads were locked together. He looked so young…

He was wearing his headband, but he didn't have the ANBU tattoo on his exposed shoulder, meaning he had to still be a Chunin and-

And the girl in the photo must have been his friend who had died for him.

Akihane watched as her tears fell on the surface of the glass. She had held onto Shisui's ANBU tags, would have held onto his mask if it wasn't lost when he-

But not she had this. She had a photo of the boy who had meant so much to her.

"I know it's not much, but I figured that it was just collecting dust in the archives. You will be gone for a bit and I- "Sasuke started to comment, looking away to give her some semblance of privacy. Abruptly he was cut off when Akihane launched herself at him.

He shut up quickly, his eyes going wide as the girl circled her arms around his shoulders and tugged him tightly against her. The photo was held loosely in one hand and the box it had been placed in dropped to the floor with a 'clack'.

Sasuke was frozen at the display, his mind rushing through a thousand different responses before he settled on the one that felt the most right.

He circled his arms around his Uzumaki, feeling her press against him as she whispered soft 'thank you's into his shirt.

Sasuke smiled softly, closing his eyes as he rested his chin on her head and took in a deep breath. Maybe the gift hadn't been the most expensive and maybe he had only thought of it on impulse after he heard about her sudden departure, but he was glad that he had done it.

I~~~~~I

And here is the lead into Shippuden! Or at least the start of Shippuden. I am going to work on a few snapshot chapters, so expect some of those that feature the growth of everyone individually up until the several year gap is completed. Also, I hope this time I managed to keep the flow of the chapter centered on Akihane. I've been trying to improve my writing and not jump around as much as I want to, giving time for the characters to grow and develop on their own. Thank you so much for reading!