Chapter Two
3 days later~
Approaching the gates of Konoha was as awe-inspiring as the first time I'd seen it. Mainly because there were so many people beyond the gates that were either going to kill you or try to. The Ame headband on my neck assured me I was okay to pass as well as the travel documents in my bag. The line into Konoha wasn't very long due to the Gate guards boredly doing their jobs.
When I handed my documents to the very familiar Chuunin my eyes got stuck on his companion.
"Kotetsu?" I asked. He glanced at me.
"Do I know you?"
"I should hope so, but then again it has been a while so maybe not. Higurashi Akana at your service." I winked. He blinked dumbly before it clicked.
"Akana?" Izumo asked. I smiled at him while Kotetsu was having his walk down memory lane.
"Hey Zumo! Long time no see."
"What do ya know? We were doubting we would ever see you again."
"You really have changed. You've grown up." Kotetsu blurted. I chuckled.
"Thanks. I see you two are still on door duty?"
"No we love this job." Izumo protested. "Lots of napping time."
"How long are you going to be here for?" Kotetsu asked.
"Two weeks. I'm actually on a diplomatic mission for my father and the Leader of Ame. I've missed Konoha."
"Alright! When we last saw you, you were only interested in causing chaos. Good to see you've settled down." Izumo noted. I laughed.
"Oh I still cause chaos, I've just learned to take my time with it." Izumo handed me back my documents and Kotetsu waved goodbye.
"Good to see you again Akana!"
"Bye!" I called heading into the village. The village hadn't really changed, the big Hidden Villages rarely did. As such on Main Street, heading to the Hokage Tower to check in, I saw Ichiraku Ramen. I started drooling at thinking of a small pit stop to grab a bite. I hadn't eaten in a while and delicious noodles sounded good. But before I could actually get inside I saw a flash of blond hair that drew my eyes and my senses.
A short boy with yellow blond hair, tan skin, blue eyes and whiskered cheeks was walking along the street with three kids and a pink haired girl the same age as Naruto. They walked down another street. I glanced at the noodle despairingly before I followed the kids. Naruto had grown from when I'd last seen him, he was skinny. I briefly worried he wasn't eating enough. When I saw the pink haired girl walk away a short ways I called out,
"Naruto!" His head snapped over to me and blue eyes stared at me blankly. "Good to see you again Uzumaki." He frowned, squinting at me.
"Uh, do I know you lady?" I smiled.
"I know it's been a while Naruto but surely you remember your Akana nee-chan?" He stared dumbly before, like with Kotetsu, it clicked. Geez had I really changed that much?
"AKANA NEE-CHAN?!" He was bowling into me in the next instance. Instincts had helped me brace before I had fallen backward so I caught him easily.
"Wow, you got taller Uzumaki. And a lot stronger than I remember. I almost fell over." He looked up at me with watery eyes and a smile.
"You did too Akana nee-chan." I patted his head gently. "What took you so long to visit?"
"Aw I'm sorry kid. Missions held me up for quite a while."
"How long are you going to be here?" Naruto asked, he reluctantly let go of me so I could stand properly.
"Maybe 2 weeks?" I responded. I noticed the other kids. "So who are these guys? Friends of yours?"
"Oh yeah, this is Konohamaru and his friends. Uh, that's Sakura." He indicated the pink haired girl who was gaping in the back. "She's my teammate."
"She's also the bosses girlfriend." The Konohamaru kid called out. I saw Sakura's face and pulled Naruto back as she lunged. The kid ran off screaming. Naruto and I looked at each other before we took off after them.
"I take it she's not your girlfriend?" I asked.
"No, just a teammate." Naruto gasped. We rounded the corner to see a boy maybe my own age holding up Konohamaru. Sakura was standing with the other two kids a ways ahead of us.
"Watch where you're going punk."
"Hey! Let him go!" Naruto, my brave idiotic friend, yelled before running forward to protect Sakura and the others. I simply watched, intrigued at how Naruto had grown. During the exchange I noted the appearance of another boy, possibly Naruto's own age in the tree above us along with two other presences on the opposite side. I saw the red haired boy hanging upside down but the secondary presence stayed hidden. I frowned knowing the second chakra signature.
When the red haired boy and the other had revealed themselves the other secondary chakra also appeared. A girl who resembled my own image stared back at me with a frown on her delicate face.
'Akana, you look good. Healthy.'
'So do you Akira.' My twin sister was the first born, and as such her kekkei genkai was different. Whereas I was dark she was my light counterpart. She could see a person's whole life in their aura, had amazing healing abilities and had the power to see anyone's truest wish and could make them come true. She was also a kunoichi of Suna. More on that later.
My attention was grabbed by the children arguing in front of me. Tensions were high and it looked like a fight was about to happen. Naruto was yelling at the cat boy to let Konohamaru go. I did a quick shunshin just as the cat boy lost his temper and shot at kunai at Naruto. The kunai got caught in my fingers. Everyone stopped to look at me in shock.
"Now that wasn't very nice." I murmured.
"Akira?" The cat boy squeaked. I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes.
"I suggest you three move along. Don't need to go reporting this to the Hokage now do we?" Akira landed in front of the cat boy.
"Kankuro! Back off." She met my eyes. "Sorry about that Akana. You know how children get so riled up." I hummed.
"Too true. Best keep an eye on our tempers right, sis?" She narrowed her eyes. I merely smiled innocently. "It was good to see you again Akira, we should catch up over lunch one of these days. It's been far, far too long."
"I assume you'll be in town a couple days?"
"It is the Chuunin Exams isn't it? I think I'll stay until this is over." She frowned.
"You're not competing are you?" I let a smirk form.
"Oh don't get your panties in a twist sister dear. Jounin are excluded from these exams as you well know. Naruto, I suggest we get the others and leave. Now." Konohamaru ran behind me. I could hear Naruto getting the kids away and dragging Sakura and the other dark haired boy with him. "Be seeing you around Akira." I blew a kiss before turning my back on her and walking away calmly. I caught up to Naruto and his friends a few streets away.
"Akana nee-chan! Are you okay?" Naruto asked once he saw me.
"I'm fine Naruto." I smiled gently. "Wanna introduce me?" I indicated his friends.
"Oh yeah. Akana these are my teammates, Sasuke Uchiha," I made a mental note of his chakra feel and aura, "And Sakura Haruno. You know Konohamaru already. This is Moegi and Udon. Guys this is Akana Higurashi."
"Good to meet you all." I nodded at them.
"Hn." Uchiha and their verbal issues. "Nee-chan?"
"Yep. Naruto and I go way back." I answered.
"Hey nee-chan, what did you mean when you said the Chuunin Exams are here?" Naruto asked.
"Did your sensei not tell you?" I asked. "You are all Genin right?"
"Yes. And our sensei isn't very informative." Sakura stated. I nodded.
"'Well if you want I can explain over a bowl of ramen? I actually just got in and I'm starving."
"AWESOME!" Naruto yelled. "LET'S GO!" I chuckled at Naruto's enthusiasm. While we walked the three smaller kids said goodbye so it was just me and Team Naruto who invaded Ichiraku's Ramen Shop.
"As I live and breathe, Akana Higurashi is that you?" I smiled.
"Hi Teuchi!" He gave a deep laugh.
"You've grown up haven't you? It's been a while since we last saw you!"
"So everyone is saying. Can I get a round of ramen of me and my friends?"
"Of course, it's on the house."
"I can't do that Teuchi-" I protested. He merely waved me away and was soon serving up 4 bowls of ramen. The Genin ate their soup but I knew they were waiting. After my first bite of heaven I then explained the Chuunin Exams and their purpose. Naturally they were awed and asked many questions that I gratefully answered while also asking my own questions about them and their training.
"Oh I forgot to check in with the Hokage." I gasped an hour later. I checked the time. "Oh crap, it's too late to do that now."
"Hey where are you staying Akana?" Naruto asked.
"Well I hadn't really figured that out yet. Why?"
"You should stay with me at my apartment! I can sleep on the floor or you can. It would be fun, like a sleepover!" Who could deny that hopeful gaze with those beautiful eyes? I sure couldn't. Which is how I found myself in Naruto's small apartment 30 minutes later. It was a small apartment but I could tell it was loved and cared for well. Naruto was a surprisingly clean person, if a bit absent-minded.
"Where were you staying before you came to Konoha?" Naruto asked me seriously. I had told him last time that I travelled a lot.
"Well, I was in a big house with a lot of people so it was always loud but it was fun. I've been travelling a lot more recently so I'm glad I got to come to Konoha for the next few weeks. It'll be a break from always on the go."
"Have you learned any new jutsus?" Naruto asked. I smiled.
"Of course. Of course I'm pretty sure you've learned all sorts of new jutsu too right?"
"Not really. All I know is the water walking jutsu, tree walking jutsu and shadow clone jutsu."
"Shadow clone jutsu?" I asked in surprise. "You mastered that jutsu? How?" Naruto regaled me with the story of lying teachers, his favorite teacher saving him in more ways than one and how he only had a limited time to learn a jutsu so complex that it was in a forbidden scroll. I whistled at the end of Naruto's tale. "Wow, I hope Mitsuki was taken to prison for what he did to you. But, Naruto, you know that the Shadow Clone jutsu can also help you learn things so much faster now right?"
"Huh?" His expression made me realize he didn't know the added benefit of the Shadow Clone jutsu.
"Naruto, you do know that with the Shadow Clone jutsu, you create a sturdier clone that is able to do more than a regular clone can. They can touch and hold things for instance and help you fight. It's basically your own personal army but with each clone you make, whatever the clone experiences or learns, you also learn."
"What?"
"Did you not know this?"
"No!" From here Naruto and I descended into a long talk about his jutsu arsenal and his knowledge of the jutsus. It also earned Naruto's sensei a stern talking to whenever I found him.
Later that night after Naruto had fallen into a deep sleep I got into a meditative pose and did the hand signs to check in with Akatsuki.
"About time!" I opened my holographic eyes to see the Akatsuki members. Some of whom were also holographic as I was while only Pein-sama, Konan, Tobi and Zetsu were solid.
'Sorry, I had to finish something.'
"Are you okay?" Konan asked.
'Yeah I'm fine. I made it to Konoha without any major breaks or issues. My, uh, roommate is sleeping currently. I haven't checked in with the Hokage yet so I'll do that in the morning. Other than that, not much to update on.' I didn't mention my twin because, well the Akatsuki didn't know I was a twin. If they found out, oye.
"Any run-in's with Orochimaru?" Pein asked.
'No, no sign of him or his ninja.' I looked at Itachi. 'I did meet your brother. He's cute.'
"You're not there for personal time." Hidan called.
'Shut up Hidan.' I rolled my eyes.
"We've gotten reports that the Suna and Konoha Jinchuuriki are in the exams, can you confirm?" Pein asked.
'At the moment no. I should be able to confirm soon so probably tomorrow night.' I mean this was true. Naruto wasn't aware if his sensei had entered him or not.
"Find them and observe." Pein ordered.
'Yes Pein-sama.' I bowed. 'If there's nothing else I will check in tomorrow with more info.'
"You're dismissed." I exited the jutsu and laid down on the futon Naruto had unrolled for me. I stared up at the ceiling not really thinking of anything before I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes.
In the morning I reported to the Hokage's Tower and checked in with the Chuunin there who took me to see a big man with a black bandanna covering his head. I had to respect his size but I wasn't very intimidated. I'd seen scarier.
"So you're Akana Higurashi, the Ame Ambassador?"
"Yes." I replied. No need to be known as a chatterbox.
"And you are going to be watching the exams?"
"Yes."
"You don't talk to much."
"Nope."
"How do I know you aren't going to be helping any Ame ninja cheat?"
"There are no Ame ninja competing in the Exams this time around." I responded cooly. "The leader of Ame figured this would be an issue and denied any requests to enter this time."
"Are you a Jounin?"
"I am."
"Special Jounin?"
"No." He stared at me for a while longer before he finally ground out,
"The first task will take place tomorrow at the Ninja Academy in room 307. You will report to the Hokage Tower at 0745 to wait with the other proctors who will be keeping an eye on the exam."
"And what is the first exam?" He handed me a form that had complicated mathematical equations on it. "And what else?"
"The last question is a trick question that will test the contenders courage and willingness to take a mission of unknown parameters." I nodded. Still I expected that this trick question wasn't all. From the mathematical questions on the paper the contenders would need to be geniuses themselves to be able to solve them, unless that wasn't the point. "You are free to go."
"Have a nice day." I answered before turning to leave. I doubted Ibiki would tell me himself about the first exam just to be sure I didn't blab to anyone. I was an unknown factor and ambassador or not, I wasn't to be fully trusted. So half information would have to work for the time being. The only question now was what would I do until tomorrow?
In the end I just wandered around the village taking in the sights that were memories from two years ago. I didn't interact with anyone beyond saying the occasional 'hello' and stopping for a treat every now and then.
By sunset I was sitting in a tree in a random training field finishing off a Popsicle and idly doodling when I felt a chill in the air. Externally I didn't move or even shift but internally I was following the chakra I sensed. It was colder than most and didn't seem to have a distinctive flavor, it was a gaping nothingness that raised the hairs on my arms.
It was gone just as suddenly as it had appeared and in its place was a chakra signature I did recognize.
"Hello Akira." I drawled to the woman under my tree. She didn't bother looking up.
'What are you doing here Akana?' That was the thing with Akira's mind reading, she had to be within a certain range. Since we were twins it was easy to send her my thoughts but she couldn't read every one of them. I responded in kind.
'Lending a helping hand sis. I'm guessing you're not in the exams?'
'No. You know this already. The last time I saw you, you were wandering the world. Now you have an Ame headband and are acting as an 'Ambassador'? What's really going on?'
'This is only temporary since I love wandering around.' Akira looked at me then. Her eyes shifted from their usual brown to a golden beam that reminded me of a light reflecting off a predators eyes.
'Where are you now?'
'I'm safe. That's all you need to know.'
'I worry.'
'Are you trying to be my overbearingly protective sister? Because it's a little late for that.' I jumped out of the tree and across the clearing with a kunai in my hand. Akira matched my movement but crouched in defense.
'Hey you chose to go your own way. I wanted to stop moving around but you didn't.'
'Can you blame me for wanting to see the world?' With that we were slashing the air and blocking hits.
'I'm sorry we split up. We may be sisters by blood but we don't know the first thing about each other.' I ducked a slash before twisting out of the way of Akira's leg.
'What you want to open up to me now?' I did a particularly difficult move that cost Akira a cut on her neck. She stilled while I grinned in bloodlust. Being around Kisame all the time gave one an unhealthy kink for the smell of blood.
'No, not now.' Akira dropped her kunai and held up her hands defensively. 'But I want to try and reconcile our bond. We used to be close.' I hesitated before shifting out of my stance and pocketing my kunai. It's not like I hated my sister, I just didn't know her and that caused indifference. Maybe it was partly my fault, I rarely went to Suna, if ever. I didn't want to end up like Itachi and Sasuke, though that is a bit of an extreme example. 'How long are you here for?'
'Two weeks initially.' I responded.
"I'm here if you need Akana." I nodded before turning to head back to Naruto's apartment.
'Thanks Akira.' I doubted I would need her help, but it was good to have allies.