'Thoughts/Signing/Written Words'

"Speaking"

"Seal Symbols/Words"

Flashbacks

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Masashi Kishimoto. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

As Sora, Neko, and Crow returned to the main road, Fox and Hound blended back with the shadows. The two followed closely behind the trio as they stepped off from the main road to enter the tree line. After a few minutes, Hound saw large wooden gates approaching from the distance. He could just make out the engraved symbol of the Aburame Clan on the wooden gates. Hound and Fox appeared behind Sora as they stopped in front of two guards dressed in long gray overcoats. On the bridges of their noses were dark circular sunglasses. One had poofy curly hair and beside him was his cousin who had tied her hair into a braided ponytail. Hound recognized the one with the ponytail as a member of Anbu.

Making sure that she was not looking at her Anbu colleagues, she focused her attention on the woman between them. Her eyes slightly widened at who it was. In a quiet voice, Hotaru asked, "Fujiwara-san?"

Hound gave Hotaru a curious look, which she ignored.

Sora smiled and bowed in front of the two Aburame. "Good afternoon, Hotaru-san and Aburame-san," Sora greeted.

Hotaru and her cousin nodded in greeting at her. Hotaru asked, "Are you here to see Shibi-sama, Fujiwara-san?"

Sora nodded in confirmation, "I'm here to deliver his order from Tree Leaves."

Hotaru said, "Let me notify Shibi-sama, Fujiwara-san."

Sora bowed, "Thank you, Hotaru-san."

Hotaru nodded as a tiny black beetle flew inside the compound. After a few minutes, it came back to land on Hotaru's left cheek. She informed Sora, "It is afternoon lunch time Fujiwara-san, thus Shibi-sama will meet you at the courtyard."

Sora's eyes slightly widened in surprised before nodding and thanking Hotaru and her cousin as the gates opened. Team Ro's tried their best not to react to what they saw. This was the first time any of them had ever entered the Aburame compound. Large trees arched over the gated entrance and led towards a large picnic table, while summer flowers bordered the corners of the courtyard. From a distance, they saw many Aburame clan members sitting around the picnic table. Most had them had cloaks on, while others did not. Some clan members were walking in and out of a tiny house next to the picnic table with bowls of food. As they walked through the courtyard, Team Ro tried not to stare at the small circular like wounds on the arms of the clan members who chose not to wear their cloaks.

As soon as the clansmen saw Team Ro, most of the members gave them a warry look while a select few recognized Team Ro and discretely nodded their heads at them in greeting.

"Sora-nee-san!" two child-like voices called out.

Team Ro turned to see a six-year-old boy with short black hair coming out of the small house next to the big picnic table. He was dressed in a black coat with two red stripes running down from the shoulders to the bottom. On his head was a pair of black goggles with two circular lenses for his eyes. He had one gloved hand holding onto the smaller hand of a three-year-old boy. Poking out from the long sea-green coat that was two sizes too big for him was a tuft of curly black hair. In their unoccupied hands were one bowl each of rice and tofu stir fry.

Sora smiled brightly at the two children who went up to her. Taking care not to knock their bowls out of their hands, she crouched down to envelope them both into a hug. "Good afternoon, Torune-kun and Shino-kun," she greeted. Both Torune and Shino relished in the warm welcoming hug. "How are my two favorite June bugs doing?"

The kids blanched at being called June bugs, but internally happy to be called by the endearing nickname. Sora led the boys to an empty spot on the picnic table. Helping set their bowls on the table, Torune climbed over to sit, while Sora picked up Shino to sit next to his cousin. Once settled, Shino muttered, "I am excited. Why? Because Oyaji says I can start training with my kikaichu and Torune-nii-san."

Sora's widened her grin, "That's awesome, Shino-kun," ruffling his hair.

Turning towards Torune, she brushed away his bangs and asked, "And you?"

Torune closed his eyes to relish in the warm fingers going through his locks. "I started the academy."

"Congratulations, Torune-kun. I know you'll do great," Sora said as smiled brightly at him.

The Aburame clan watched wide eyed, before smiling underneath their cloaks. They have never seen anyone hugging any of their clan members so freely as this woman has done. Most people, civilian and shinobi alike, tend to steer clear from them due to the clan's special relationship with insects. Seeing her hug two of their clansmen so genuinely was a surprise, but a welcoming sight.

"Sora-san?" a male's voice asked. Hound looked at a young man with curly poofy hair coming towards the picnic table. He had on dark sunglasses, as well as the standard shinobi uniform, minus the typical Aburame coat. Hound recognized him as Captain Tonbo of Team Ru, Anbu's top tracking team.

'How do they know one another?' Hound wondered.

Sora turned to look at the man as her eyes brightened at him. "Hi Akio-san."

Akio smiled as he greeted her back and asked, "What are you doing here, Sora-san?"

Sora patted the tops of the boys' head, "Start eating you two," she gently directed to Shino and Torune. As Shino and Torune ate, Sora turned towards Akio and replied, "I'm waiting for Aburame-sama."

Akio's nodded in understanding while giving curious glances at Hound, who was standing next to Sora. 'Why are you surrounded by Anbu if you are just here to deliver an order, Sora-san? Especially by Team Ro?' he pondered.

Team Ro had a well-known reputation for taking high-profile missions that almost always involved low survival rate. They were never called in for a simple escort duty.

Akio was unable to think more on it as he heard the familiar voice of his older cousin ask, "Fujiwara-san?"

Sora looked behind Akio to see the head of the Aburame clan, Shibi Aburame, entering the courtyard. Sora smiled at Akio as she dismissed herself and went towards the head. Once in front of Shibi, she bowed and presented a deep green scroll, "Good afternoon, Aburame-sama. I apologize for intruding on your clan's luncheon. If I had known, I would've come to deliver your order at a different time."

Shibi nodded as he took the scroll from her, "No offense taken, Fujiwara-san. Thank you for delivering the order."

Sora rose and walked back towards Shino and Torune. Akio's eyes softened when Sora gave them a farewell hug.

'You haven't changed, Sora-san,' Akio thought.

"See you later you two!" Sora said to Shino and Torune, who both hugged her back tightly.

Reluctantly, they let her go. Torune whispered, "See you later, Sora-nee-san!"

"Come back soon, Sora-nee-san," Shino muttered.

Sora ruffled their heads one last time before saying her farewells to Shibi, Akio, and the rest of the Aburame clan.

Back at the interrogation room, Ibiki and Inoichi tensed when two bodies appeared behind them. Both were sprawled on their back. One was a young man with a blue marking on their right cheek. In his left hand was a white porcelain mask with a painted blue marking. The other body looked no older than nine and Ibiki could see a scar on his neck. In the child's right hand was a mask with three red stripes painted on the right cheek.

Ibiki narrowed his eyes at the child. 'The Yondaime would have never allowed this. Children are prohibited from joining Anbu no matter how good they are. Even Fox had to become a Chunin first.'

Inoichi turned towards Ibiki, "What is going on here, Ibiki-san?"

"I don't know, but Hokage-sama and Bear-san needs to be notified immediately," Ibiki replied.

Inoichi nodded his head in confirmation as he stared back at the unconscious bodies of two Aburame clan members.

As Team Ro followed their Daimyo back on the road, they saw another wooden gate approaching. This time the symbol for the Nara Clan was painted on the gates and it was left wide opened. Their eyes narrowed when they saw no guards posted near the entrance.

'They usually have someone here,' Hound thought.

Once they entered the Nara Compound, Team Ro paused to see how busy the clan was. Everyone was running around with either nets or wires in their hands. Some even had bags of what looked to be like large circular crackers.

"Hurry!" called out one of the clansmen as another member rushed towards his fellow cousins.

Paying them no mind, Sora continued towards her client's house. As they neared a familiar house, Team Ro heard voices yelling from the back.

"Don't hurt them!" a man's voice called out.

"They have the children," another voice called out.

"Shikaku, do something!" a woman's voice was heard.

Team Ro tensed. They were about to grab Sora to get to safety but was surprised to see that she was no longer in between them. They looked around and saw her running towards the voices.

'What is she thinking?' Hound thought as they quickly went after her.

Standing on the rooftop of the clan head's house, Team Ro paused in surprised to see six stags about the size of a house forming a circle down below. Behind them were three children who looked to be around three years old. One had the familiar Akimichi swirls on his cheeks. He was wearing a mint green shirt with his clan's symbol on display in the front with dark green shorts. Beside him was a boy with a short ponytail. He was wearing a gray shirt with brown shorts. Next to him was a baby girl with a pink hair clip in her blonde hair. She was wearing a pink top with a whit bunny and crème-colored shorts. All three were beginning to stir awake at all the commotion from the crowd.

In the front of the crowd was Shikaku, who was trying to calm down the biggest of the stags. Beside him was the Akimichi Clan Head, Choza, and an elder of the Nara Clan, Elder Enchu. Each time they took a step forward, the stags would rear their heads and stomp the ground in warning.

Shikaku told his friend and clansmen, "Step back, it's making them nervous."

Everyone stepped back. Shikaku reached out a hand up and softly said, "It's ok. We're not going to hurt you."

Hound narrowed his eyes at Sora, who had managed to push herself to the front of the crowd. He signaled his team to slowly surround the Daimyo. When Shikaku had inched closer, the largest stag snorted and lowered his antlers to charge at Shikaku. A jingle of hairpins was the only thing they heard before Team Ro could react.

Shikaku's eyes widened when he felt a small feminine frame push against his front. Everyone watched in surprise because holding onto the stag's head was Sora.

Recognizing her immediately, Elder Enchu cried out, "Daimyo-sama!"

Choza and the crowd turned to look at the Elder in surprise. 'Daimyo-sama?' they thought.

Team Ro went to stand beside Choza and Elder Enchu. Hound slowly inched forward toward Sora but paused when he saw the stag's muscles tensing. Just as the stag was about to move, Sora firmly but gently said, "Chimon-san."

Hound looked at Sora in contemplation as he looked at Sora stare at the large stag. 'She knows them,' he concluded.

Chimon stepped back and looked at Sora. Her eyes saddened when she saw pain, fear, and anger clouding his eyes. "Chimon-san," she repeated but a little louder.

As her voice registered, Sora watched as Chimon's eyes cleared. Realizing who was in front of him, Chimon's ears flicked downwards in regret as his soul flickered in uncertainty. Letting him know that he had not scared her off, Sora ran her hands soothingly across the sides of his face.

"I understand, Chimon-san," Sora softly said. "After all these years, there was no way you could have forgotten the smell of the ones who took you and your brothers away from your family."

Sora heard Shikaku's breath hitch as everyone in the crowd's eyes widened. Shikaku's eyes widened when he felt a small hand grab his. Sora placed his palm near Chimon's nose. Keeping her hand on top of Shikaku's and her other hand rubbing the side of Chimon's snout, Sora continued, "But you know this scent, Chimon-san. You have known it all your life. A life you had before I found you and your brothers locked in a cage waiting to be sold to the highest bidder. This scent belonged to the one human who watched you and your brothers take your first steps. This scent was there to feed you when you and your brothers were fawns." Bringing Chimon's head up to look into his eyes, she firmly said with earnest, "This is a scent you can trust, Chimon-san."

Chimon took a step back and Sora let him. Keeping Shikaku's palm up, Sora smiled encouragingly at the stag. Chimon hesitantly stepped forward and gently placed his snout against Shikaku's open palm. Sora slowly lowered her palm and stepped to the side. Shikaku's eyes widened when he felt Chimon take in huge breaths before a puff of warm breath encircled his palm. After a few minutes of just staring at one another, Chimon walked towards Sora.

She gently ran her hand through his fur and looked at Shikaku, "Now for the hardest part."

Shikaku gave her a questioning look.

She informed him, "Chimon-san is the eldest and while he ensures that the location remains safe for his brothers, it is the younger ones who makes the final decision on whether or not they should stay. If they choose to leave, they will take the children with them."

Shikaku and the others stiffened. "We'll start with the second eldest," Sora said. She ran her hands across Chimon's fur. Turning to him, she asked, "Chimon-san, do you think Chotan-san will be willing to meet us?"

Chimon flicked his ears, unsure. He went towards the herd and bopped noses with Chotan. Chotan slowly walked towards Sora while apprehensively looking at Shikaku.

When Chotan was in front of her, she placed a reassuring hand by his side. Looking at Shikaku, she instructed, "Nara-sama, whatever you do, do not reach out to him. Let him come to you. He will bolt the minute you move."

Shikaku nodded as he watched in wonder as the giant stag nuzzled into Sora's chest, taking care not to harm her with his large antlers. Feeling Chotan trembling underneath her palms, she whispered to Chotan, "It's okay."

Running her hands along the sides of his face, she said, "There's someone I want you to meet, ok?"

Chotan grunted as he raised his head to look at Shikaku as if to say, 'Do I have to?'

Keeping her hand on his side, she said, "I'll be right alongside you Chotan-san."

Chotan twitched his tail as he took small tentative steps. Looking at Shikaku, Sora said, "He's going to smell you, Nara-sama. With Chotan-san, scent is everything."

Shikaku nodded. Chotan slowly dipped his nose near Shikaku's face only to snort and step back. Sora quickly held onto his antlers, "Easy, Chotan-san. Easy." Rubbing her hands through his fur, she said, "It's not the same scent, Chotan-san. He won't hurt you."

Shikaku narrowed his eyes, 'Same scent? A Nara did this to you?'

He did not want to think about the possibility of someone from his clan harming or even having a part in the harming members of the herd, especially those from the Sacred Herd. Chotan's tail twitched again as he leaned back for another sniff. He then began to circle around Shikaku. Shikaku looked at Sora uncertain, she mouthed the words, 'Don't move.'

Everyone in the crowd watched in worry. Once Chotan was back in front of Shikaku, Chotan stared at Shikaku for a few minutes before placing his head on Shikaku's chest. Shikaku's eyes widened as he felt Chotan breathing in his scent deeply. The crowd let out a breath of relief when Chotan stepped back and walked towards the herd.

Turning to Shikaku, Sora said, "Only four more to go."

Looking at Team Ro and the rest of the crowd, Sora said, "When Nara-sama and I move forward, do not follow. This is the only way we'll be able to get the children back."

Team Ro stiffened. They looked at their Caption, who nodded in confirmation. Sora walked alongside Shikaku as they moved closer to the herd. She smiled as Chimon and Chotan sat in front of the children, but she could tell that they were still tense. Sora motioned for Shikaku to stop when Daido stomped on the ground. Sora whispered, "Easy little one."

Daido let out a grunt but settled down when Yasashiku rubbed his snout against Daido's head. Yasashiku looked at Sora and Shikaku before making his way towards them. Shikaku noted how despite having a jagged scar on his snout, the giant stag looked regal like a warrior as he stopped in front of Sora to give her a hug.

Sora turned to Shikaku, "This is Yasashiku-san. Besides the safety of his brothers, he values respect and politeness above all else."

To everyone but Sora's surprise, Yasashiku stopped in front of Shikaku and bowed. Shikaku's eyes widened and bowed as well. As Yasashiku rose, Shikaku stayed bowed. Yasashiku bent his head to sniff the tops of Shikaku's hair. Once satisfied, he returned to the herd. Shikaku rose and looked at Sora in wonder.

Sora gave him an encouraging smile, "Let's move a little bit closer."

Sora and Shikaku took a few steps before Usaku came bounding towards Sora. Sora laughed as he licked her cheeks. Running her fingers through his fur, she said, "This is Usaku-san. Out of the six, he is a bit more laidback. Once the three eldest siblings have given the all clear, Usaku-san will usually go with the flow."

Turning towards Usaku, she said, "Usaku-san, this is Nara-sama."

Usaku looked at Shikaku for a bit before giving his right cheek a very wet lick as well. Shikaku lips twitched as he watched Usaku bound back towards the others.

Sora looked at the remaining two stags. The youngest looked antsy, while the second youngest looked anxiously between Sora and Shikaku.

Sora whispered, "Come together."

Daido and Enmei both looked at her. She firmly said, "Come together."

Enmei looked at Daido. Noticing his youngest brother's tenseness, Enmei went to lick his snout to calm him down. Sora motioned Shikaku to sit down alongside her. Once Shikaku sat beside her, Sora looked at Daido. "Take your time little one. We have all the time in the world."

Sora smiled when Daido relaxed a tiny bit.

Without looking at Shikaku, Sora said, "The second youngest is Enmei-san. He's the brown stag with a white underbelly." Shikaku looked to see the larger of the two who kept looking anxiously at them. Sora continued, "He's easier to please as long as you have treats around."

Shikaku smiled. 'Glad I took some from the deer storage,' he thought.

Sora continued, "The other one is Daido-san. He is the one who remembers the scent of his captures the most."

Shikaku frowned at the scars above the stag's knees. "They broke his legs."

Sora nodded but said nothing more. Curious, Shikaku looked at Sora and asked, "How did you meet them?"

Sora kept her gaze on the herd as she ran her fingers across the grass. Shikaku's lips quirked as he watched his son and friends' children interact with the herd. Usaku was allowing little Ino play with his tufts of fur on his head, while Shikamaru was sleeping against Chimon. Little Choji was finishing the snack he had gotten magically from somewhere while looking up at Yasashiku in wonder.

"When I was younger," Sora replied. "I was left to my own devices a lot. I found them in the red-light district of the capitol."

Sora smiled sadly at the herd. "They were going to be auctioned off the next day so that night I made the decision to free them. Luckily, the cage that they were in was on a horse-drawn carriage. I managed to sneak out with them."

Shikaku raised an eyebrow at her. "Without making any noise?"

Sora shrugged, "I was very resourceful as a child. I managed to make it home and took care of them until they were well enough to get up. At the time I had not known that they were from the Nara Forest until Grandmother caught me feeding Enmei-san."

Shikaku was about to ask another question but stopped when Sora said, "Here they come."

Daido and Enmei were slowly walking towards them. As the two stags neared, Enmei made sure to be stand between his younger brother and Shikaku. Shikaku noted that the youngest stag chose to sit close to Sora, while the other one sat closer to him, but still within reaching distance of Sora. Sora reached ran a hand on Daido's head and greeted them, "Hey there you two."

Daido softly gave her fingers a nip while Enmei licked her cheeks. As Daido slowly relaxed, Sora watched as Enmei never took his eyes off Shikaku.

Shikaku sat still and looked at the stag studying him. 'What could you be looking for,' he thought.

A few seconds later, Enmei's eyes widened before looking at Sora in wonder. Sora laughed, "You can ask, Enmei-san. I'm sure Nara-sama is more than happy to share his treats with you."

Enmei turned to look at Shikaku. Shikaku eyebrows twitched when he saw Enmei's ears flopped downwards. The stag tilted his head while giving him large puppy eyes.

'Are you sure you're a deer and not a dog?' Shikaku thought as he pulled out a deer cracker from his sleeves.

Bringing the cracker close to Enmei, the stag gently took it from Shikaku's palm. Shikaku watched Enmei turned towards Daido almost as if to ask if he would like some. Daido's tail twitched, as he looked suspiciously at Shikaku. Shikaku gave him a small smile. Still unsure, Daido looked at Sora, who gave him an encouraging nod. Daido took half of the treat from Enmei.

Sora smiled, "Nara-sama, Daido-san needs a little more time, but he trusts you too keep his family safe."

Shikaku nodded in relief as his shoulders relaxed slightly. Once the two stags were done eating the treat, Sora laughed as their eyes lit up. "Is it good?" she asked.

Enmei's response was to quickly look at Shikaku for more. He laughed as he pulled out another one.

A small little voice called out, "Ino too."

Sora and Shikaku looked up to see the rest of the herd coming near them. On Usaku's back was Ino, while on Chimon's back was Shikamaru and Choji on his back. The herd stood in front of Sora and Shikaku.

Sora got up and walked towards Usaku. Looking at Ino, she asked, "Did you want to feed him?"

Ino quickly nodded her head. Sora gently brought her down and watched Ino stumble towards Shikaku. Ino stopped in front of Shikaku, put out an opened hand, looking expectantly at him.

Shikaku lips twitched as he handed her one. 'Inoichi's been spoiling her,' he thought.

They watched as Ino presented the treat to Usaku. As Usaku gently took the deer treat from her, Ino laughed when his tongue tickled her hands.

"They are gentle with children," Shikaku thought out loud.

Sora nodded, "They view children as fawns, Nara-sama. To them, fawns are to be protected no matter what."

"Protect them from what?" Shikaku asked.

Sora tensed and looked at Shikaku. "That's for you to determine, Nara-sama."

Shikaku narrowed his eyes at Sora only to feel something wet slide across his face. Enmei had licked his face in search for more treats. After giving Enmei another treat Shikaku felt stares. He looked up and was surprised to see the warning stares from the three eldest stags. Shikaku looked at Sora as she interacted with the rest of the herd. He noted that they had subtly positioned Sora so that she was the closest to Daido and the children. Away from the outer perimeter, and slightly away from him.

'They protect her as well,' he noted.

Looking up to check on Team Ro, Sora tried not to wince at Hound's imposing stare. Internally sighing, she looked at the others in the crowd and saw Choza and Yoshino looking worriedly at them. Sora smiled reassuringly at them. "Nara-sama, it's your turn."

Shikaku looked at Sora in question. Seeing her looking elsewhere, he looked at where she was looking at and found everyone else looking at them. Shikaku spluttered as he watched Sora walking away. Sora paused to look over her shoulders, "The only advice I can give you is to start with your wife and Akimichi-sama. Their scent will closely resemble the children's, so it will be a bit easier. After that, introduce the others one by one."

In a serious voice, she added, "If they bolt, let them. They won't take the children now that they trust you."

Sora stopped in front of Yoshino and bowed, presenting a deep green scroll. "Thank you for doing business with Tree Leaves, Nara-sama."

Everyone's eyes widened not expecting the owner of Tree Leaves to also be the Daimyo. Yoshino nodded as she accepted the green scroll.

Turning towards Elder Enchu, Sora bowed, "It's good to see you again, Elder Enchu."

Elder Enchu bowed, "Likewise, Daimyo-sama." As he rose, he asked, "When did you arrive?"

Sora answered, "This mid-morning."

Elder Enchu nodded, "Do you have proper accommodations, Daimyo-sama? If not, you are always welcomed to stay here at that Nara Compound."

Shikaku and the other clan members looked at Elder Enchu in shock. 'He never invites anyone to stay at the compound,' Shikaku thought.

Sora smiled, "Thank you for offering, Elder Enchu. However, I will be staying at Hokage-sama's home tonight."

'Daimyo-sama knows that she cannot use the traditional contract,' he thought. Elder Enchu narrowed his eyes at Sora, 'Unless someone had enacted the traditional rights. This has only ever been done if someone had wished to oppose the Daimyo and the modern contract. By using the traditional contract, it restricts both the Daimyo and the Hokage, thus putting a strain on the trust between one another. Who forced the traditional contract on you, Daimyo-sama?'

Feeling his soul flicker, Sora gave him a reassuring smile. "Stay well, Elder Enchu."

Elder Enchu looked at her and nodded, "Enjoy your stay in Konoha, Daimyo-sama."

As Sora and Team Ro left, Shikaku looked at Elder Enchu who gave him a look that read, 'We must talk.'

Shikaku internally sighed as he looked at the stags behind him. "Troublesome."

Once they exited the Nara compound, Hound gave Sora one last look before returning to the shadows with Fox. Team Ro followed Sora as she went to her next destination. After passing one of the many civilian districts, they stopped in front of an opened gate with red and white fans painted on banners across the entrance. On both sides of the gates were two Uchiha guards. One wore their forehead protector on their forehead, while the other wore one like a bandana.

They both recognized Sora immediately from this morning. Sora bowed, "Good afternoon, Uchiha-san, Uchiha-san. Is Uchiha-sama available?"

The guards looked at one another. "Fugaku-sama is currently at the Military Police Force Station," said one of them.

Sora blinked at them before scolding herself. "I apologize, I should've been clearer. I was hoping to see if Uchiha-sama's wife was home."

One of the guards looked at Team Ro before saying, "Mikoto-sama should be home. I can send for someone to take you to the main house. Can I have your name?"

Sora nodded, "Sora-."

A child's voice interrupted her, "Fujiwara-san?"

Sora turned behind her to see a nine-year-old boy in a high collared navy shirt and white shorts. His arms and legs were wrapped in bandages. Attached to his hips were his packs and sticking out from his back was the hilt of his katana.

She smiled at the child, "Hello, Itachi-kun."

As Itachi walked closer to the gates, he nodded at his uncles in greeting. Turning to Sora, he asked, "Are you here to see Chichiue?"

Sora shook her head no. "I'm actually here to see your mother actually."

Itachi's eyes widened and whispered, "The mango flavored dango."

Crow tried hard not to twitch as he watched his younger cousin interact with the Daimyo. 'Why am I not surprised it's about your fixation on dango,' he thought.

Sora giggled. "Exactly."

Sora paused and leaned closer to study Itachi. She placed her fingers underneath his chin to tilt his face up. The guards watched curiously at how the civilian woman interacted with Itachi. Despite having the most interaction with the civilians of Konoha, most tend to avoid the Uchiha clan, or openly glared at them. This woman, however, seems to look at their heir with genuine concern.

Ignoring their stares, Sora ran her thumb along the stress lines on Itachi's face. 'They've gotten deeper,' she thought.

Sora sternly said, "Itachi-kun," Itachi tensed and was about to take her hands away from his face when he was taken by surprised. Itachi landed on her stomach with an 'oof' as she pulled him closer to her into a hug. Whispering into the crown of his head, "You have to take better care of yourself."

Itachi's and his clansmen eyes widened in shock. Crow looked worriedly at his younger cousin. He knew that being heir was difficult, even more so when Fugaku have been pushing Itachi through the ranks.

Slowly Itachi relaxed and nodded into her stomach. "Hai, Fujiwara-san."

"Good," Sora let him go grinning at him and flicked the middle of his forehead softly. "Don't make me hunt you down if I hear you are disregarding your health."

Itachi nodded his head. His eyes widened again as Sora went to grab his hands. "Shall we go?"

Itachi looked at the soft warm hand holding onto his. He hesitantly nodded. Sora beamed down at him. The guards looked flabbergasted at what the civilian had just done. Uncaring for their stares, Sora continued her merry way, hand in hand with Itachi, and Team Ro in tow.

After a few minutes into the compound, Sora begun swinging their arms around. She asked, "How's having a little brother who can finally run and talk now?"

Crow quickly looked at Sora in surprise. 'I'm going to need to have a talk with my cute little cousin as soon as this mission is over,' he thought.

Itachi gave her a small smile. "Ototo is cute. He is beginning to talk. Though he is struggling with some of the harder words."

"Ah," Sora turned to look at him, "has the flash cards been helping?"

Itachi quickly nodded. "Sasuke loves them. He's been able to recognize and say some of the names of the household furniture now."

As they walked towards the main house, the two began to talk more and more about what Itachi has been up to as of late. Slowly, he began to relax and hold onto Sora's hands. She smiled when she felt him squeezing her hand. They talked about anything and everything. From the best flavor at the dango shop to how he was getting a new Genin team. As they neared the house, Sora felt Itachi's soul flicker in worry. Sora gave him a reassuring squeeze and a smile. He smiled back before taking his hand out of hers and bringing them into his pockets. Sora eyes softened sadly for a quick second before she brought her hand up to knock on the door.

A black-haired woman opened the door. She was wearing a dark purple blouse, and a red-plum skirt. Mikoto was surprised to see her son standing next to a civilian woman. Behind the woman were four Anbu agents. Looking at her son questioningly, Mikoto asked, "Itachi-kun?"

Sora answered for him instead by bowing down and presenting the scroll out towards Mikoto. "Good afternoon, Uchiha-sama. I am Sora Fujiwara, and I am here to deliver your order from Tree Leaves. Your son was kind enough to lead me the way here."

Crow narrowed his eyes. 'Mikoto-oba-san doesn't know that Itachi and Sora knows one another.'

Mikoto nodded and accepted the scroll. Sora said her farewells to Itachi and Mikoto before leaving. As Sora walked away, Mikoto studied her a bit. While she had ordered from Tree Leaves plenty of times, it was always through a messenger. 'Odd how she looks exactly like Tomoe-san,' Mikoto thought.

The door to Room 40 opened before closing behind a man with brown hair wearing a white porcelain mask shaped as a mouse. Inside the interrogation room, he stood beside Tanuki and Robin as they listened to their Hokage talk to Ibiki Morino and Bear, the Anbu Commander.

"We're not able to get them to respond," Ibiki informed Minato. "There's a seal in the back of their mouth's preventing them to speak."

Minato frowned at seeing the nine-year-old child of the Aburame clan. "Was Shibi-san notified?" he asked.

Inoichi shook his head no. "We wanted to wait for your orders first."

Minato nodded as he bent down in front of Fumiko. He tilted her head up and narrowed his eyes at the unfamiliar seal on the back of her tongue. Standing beside him was a tall man with broad shoulders. He was wearing a white porcelain mask of a bear with three brown stripes painted on his forehead. In his hand was a mask with the crescent painted on the left cheek. He narrowed his eyes, recognizing the mask immediately. Bear asked, "Are they related to the instances earlier this month?"

Ibiki looked at Inoichi, "Despite the differences, we believe it is," Ibiki said.

"We think what caused the burning around the mouth and the liquidation of the brain was the seal," Inoichi added.

Minato tensed, "Has the seals been activated?"

Ibiki shook his head no. "For some reason, they haven't. The ones on the masks had remained glowing."

Bear flipped it over to see a glowing seal. He narrowed his eyes. 'I hope I'm wrong,' he thought as he looked at Ibiki, who gave him a knowing look.

Everyone tensed as they saw two bodies appear behind them. Minato analyzed the bodies on the floor as Mouse and Tanuki quickly went outside the room to see if anyone had entered. Both bodies were sprawled on their stomach and a mask in their hands. Minato bent down to pick up their masks. They were both the same monkey masks, but one was painted red, and the other blue. Minato flipped the masks over to see the same seals on the forehead slots of the masks. He gave the masks to Bear as Mouse and Tanuki came back into the room. They shook their heads no to Minato, letting him know that they were unable to find anyone.

Everyone widened their eyes when Ibiki and Inoichi rolled them over. Bear asked, "When has there been a reported case of twins in the Uchiha clan?"

Minato narrowed his eyes. "There hasn't been one."