.24

"You know, I discovered something. Everyone has something... Something deep inside their hearts. For some, it might have been enmity. For others, admiration. Wishes, a craving for the spotlight, feelings that one wants to deliver, feelings for one's mother. Everyone was supported by their own feelings. I realize now that, perhaps, no one can stand alone on stage."~ Your Lie in April

…

In the last few days Shikamaru cannot really think of a time he had seen the red head so irate, to be honest he'd never seen anyone look as annoyed as she did in that moment. That said something considering who his own mother was. All though he really did not blame her, they had only been back in the village for maybe an hour when a new mission scroll had been shoved into her face by an almost equally annoyed chunin core member.

It was sort of ridicules and it looked like the chunin who was trying to hand her the scroll agreed. He watched as she drew in a deep breath, her eyes closed briefly and he missed whatever it was she said next to the man because the door to the mission's office slammed open to reveal what appeared to be the Third's grandson and friends.

The little boy ran straight up to her a wide grin on his face. Shikamaru was actually surprised by that, but what surprised him even more was when she smiled back. Mitomi actually smiled. There isn't a point that the Nara heir can ever remember that happening to anyone other than Naruto.

"Big sis, look!" Konohamaru exclaimed excitedly pointing at his new forehead protector. She just grinned at him before speaking.

"Congratulation Maru-kun, and too you all as well." She extended the smile to the little boy's two friends, before looking back over at the chunin who was waiting for her to resume their spat.

Shikamaru watched as she affectionately patted the boys head as he protested the name she had called him. After another few minutes of listening to the boy ramble she told them if they were trying to hide from Ebisu then they needed to get going. He could have laughed at their faces as they dashed out of the mission's office. The amused look on her face vanished as soon as she turned her full attention back to the chunin.

"This can't wait one day?" She was asked again, this time Shikamaru and Asuma had walked over. Because this was ridicules. At least he thought it was.

Could they really not see how drained she was? Surely there was someone else who could take this mission. There was always someone else. Right?

"I'm sorry Uzumaki-san but it cannot, these are your orders directly from the Hokage. It's very important that you leave today. You are expected to be there the day after tomorrow." She snatched the scroll from the chunin's hand almost growling at him as she did so.

He took his earlier statement back, this was the most irate he'd ever seen anyone.

"Fine. I need an hour to repack and restock on supplies. Whatever poor bastard has to go with me better be ready at the gate by then." She disappeared in a swirl of white petals after that. The man sighed.

The chunin then turned his eyes on the Nara, a tired look on his face. "You heard her." Shikamaru wanted to groan. Because of course it was him. What a drag. He nodded his head and walked away sure that Asuma could get the information out of the chunin without his help. Whatever that pertained.

He had a mission to prep for apparently.

"Do you know how long she's been in the village in the last month?" Asuma asked after a moment of thought, he would be getting to the bottom of this. That poor girl was tired, she needed a break and if they didn't give her one soon then she was going to have a major meltdown. It wouldn't even compare to the small fracture she had a month ago.

That wasn't something any of them wanted to see.

The chunin sighed, deeply, as if what he was about to say bothered even him. "All together maybe two days." Asuma had to take a step back and a deep breath to keep from saying something. No one, especially someone of her age, should be made to suffer like that.

The jonin nodded his head, there would be talk about this. He was sure once the others found out they wouldn't be pleased. Her shishou especially, he wondered then if the man even knew what was going on with her. If he didn't he was about to find out.

It had been six months since that disaster of a mission that got her promoted to full Jonin. Yes he knew about it, everyone with a high enough rank did. And for it being the way it was, with the one singular lose it caused, she in the moment despite the rumored nine-tails onslaught handled the situation as well as any of them could.

His mind was set, this was ending now. Because no one should have to do this, this wasn't a time of war and she was just one person. If they weren't careful they'd turn her against them. Asuma never wanted to see that happen.

The Sarutobi heir respected her late parents too much to allow that to happen to her. He may have been gone for majority of their childhood, and that would always haunt him just a little so he intended to make up for it. Her and her brothers lives could have been so much better, should have been better and after everything they both have suffered he wasn't going to let them be alone anymore.

Naruto was easy he made his place in the world, he had the support of those their own age. He was so much like both of his parents that it would be hard not to like him. In time everyone would be rutting for him. That thought made Asuma smile just a bit.

He wanted to see them succeed. He wanted all of the younger generation to succeed, but not only that he wanted them to be better than they were. And observing them, all of them maybe they stood that chance.

Except Mitomi, if no one helped her then she would never get that opportunity. She deserved it, probably more than any of them. But unless something drastic happened, unless someone stepped in, she was never going to get it.

That thought alone hurt more than any scar. Everyone deserved to be seen. To find their own place in the world.

Maybe he was being overzealous, perhaps he was over thinking the situation. But he didn't care. Asuma had the feeling that the others wouldn't either. That they would agree with him and that was all the motivation he needed.

Everyone needed to be saved sometimes.

Even from themselves.

XOXOX

A short chapter I know, I'm sorry. But you guys I am so excited about the direction this story in going in and I am super pumped for what is to come next! Your kind words and reviews have been so motivating to write more chapters, thank you so very much for them! You guys are awesome:D

SO what do you think of this? What do you think will happen next?

Stay tuned to find out:D

Also I wanted to address a question made in a review froma earlier chapter, the why? Why was Mitomi stuck in the village for almost a year?

The simple answer is this: Mitomi is a high risk shinobi. She is a jinchuriki who has absolutely no ties to the village Hidden in the Leaves except for Naruto. So the wanted to keep an eye on her, to ensure she wouldn't betray them if she ever made it to a higher rank (anbu). Unfortunately for them she wouldn't accept the promotion to shadow ranks and that plan sort of backfired and served not a lot of purpose except to allow her to perfect her sealing and other pursuits.

So yah. Hope that helps:D

To explain Asuma's behavior. I just don't think if he had been in the village during that time he'd allowed that to happen. I just don't think it's possible. To ignore a child, the child of the man who literally just saved everyone's asses yeah I just don't think it's possible. Because Asuma would have known who Naruto was, how could he not know his own father was the third Hokage for crying out loud! His mother died to bring this baby into the world. So I just believe that if Asuma had been in the village instead of with the fire priest or whatever they're called he would have done something.

Kakashi not doing something makes sense, he literally had just lost every single person he cared about. It's shitty, and stupid, but it makes dumb sense and he was younger than everyone else in his age group. Also Kakashi own mental state was sort of terrible. Look at all the mistakes he made with team 7 as genin and then think did we really want someone with that sort of emotional stupidity to raise Naruto?

I love Kakashi do not get me wrong. His character is one of my favorites, but the guy is a mess. He needed support just as much as Naruto did and neither one got it.

I am just going to leave it at that, please don't hate me.

If you are wondering about things or are confused about something that isn't specifically stated, I want to know. I lot of the writing of this is based off of what is implied, the subtext. So it gets confusing and completely understand so if you have questions ask and I'll be happy to answer!

Thank you again for reading this you guys are so awesome!

Sincerely, La'Rae