Hey ya'll! I adopted this fic from a good pal, RamenLoverNaruto. They told me they killed the fic, and I stepped in. Vola~ My new fic. I skip the events of the War because it is currently unknown who wins, thus rather than drag this story out until then, I decided to: first, write about it on my deviantArt account, and secondly, skip it entirely.
Pairing:
NaruHina
SasuSaku
Hints of ShikaIno
Hints of KibaMisaki [[These two will get a side-story, don't worry]]
Hints of ItaTema
Chapter Nineteen: A Worthwhile Cause
::Five months after the War::
Naruto's eyes glanced around for a certain Hyuga heiress as he fixed his orange vest, surprised it fit. Spotting her talking to his adopted sister, he grinned and strolled up. "Hey, you two. Just got my vest today, like it?" He asked.
"Nii-san! It looks awesome! I would've thought you'd stick with the green one that everyone else got?" Misaki stated.
Naruto's brow rose. "Oh? Says the one to get a dark-blue one?" He commented.
Misaki glared. "Hey, Lady Tsunade was the one to suggest it, to kind of go with my hair, I guess."
Hinata smiled and shook her head. "It does, Misaki-chan. Naru-kun, are you just leaving or arriving?" She asked.
"Me, teme and Sakura-chan are just about to leave. Though, we wanted Misaki-imouto to join us." Naruto stated, kissing Hinata's forehead before tugging on his headband.
He remembered the day everyone, minus Sakura, on Team Seven was promoted to Chuunin after the war. Since then, he has been slowly rising through the ranks of ANBU. Sasuke has gone through the ranks faster than him, being his superior now. But, he had a feeling he'd be on par with his friend after this mission.
Hinata had become a joinin and was named Team 8's new sensei, with Kurenai retiring to raise her child, Mirai. She was her younger sister's sensei, which still made Hinata feel very odd.
Shikamaru eventually did accept the offer he was given a few years ago: to join the Guardian Shinobi Twelve. After realizing Asuma was who he was because of it, Shikamaru left after recovering in the hospital for three weeks. He sends letters to Ino, who is glad he finally followed what he wanted.
Ino and Sakura became head medic-nins shortly after the War. Ino, however, was more of a missions-only medic while Sakura floated between missions and the hospital. The two still butt heads over different jutsus that were 'the right one' to use.
Tenten also became a Joinin and instead of leading a team, she teaches at the Academy about weaponry. Since Neji's death, however, she often goes to the cemetery to pay her respects to not only Neji, but Lee, who was also killed because of being blinded by consuming jealousy, which easily let him get killed by Madara, who had attacked Sakura. It was well-known Tenten thought of Lee as a brother and was clearly enamored with Neji.
Choji took over Team 10 as a Joinin, ushering in the first instance where there was no Ino-Shika-Cho in it. He still treated his students to barbecue, like Asuma did to them.
Kiba started leading Guy's old team and often was out on missions, wanting his students to be stronger than his team was at that time. He kept his personality around everyone, with the exception of Misaki, for when he was around her, he often had the look of regret and anger.
Misaki, however, was chosen to become a ANBU leader and often went out with her team whenever Tsunade had to leave or other things. She held the title very high in her mind, something Naruto suspected was to remember her parents. After the war, however, she and Kiba seemed to avoid the other at all costs. After Naruto and the other three, Ino, Sasuke and Sakura, asked why, she explained exactly what happened: Kiba had admitted to already being in a relationship and could not see her as anything like that.
The thought made Naruto clench his fist, which alerted the two girls. "Nii-san? Something wrong?" Misaki asked.
"I'm still mad at Kiba." Naruto admitted.
The name made Misaki blink and sigh. "Nii-san, it's alright. I don't mind." She shrugged. "As for your request, Lady Tsunade doesn't plan to be heading out yet. She said the day's mine to have. So, I suppose I'll come. Does that mean I call the shots?" She poked her brother, seeing him bristle.
"I suppose so. Teme's below even you." He said that with so much pride that it made the two girls giggle.
"Well, I'll see you later then, Naruto-kun." Hinata said, smiling before leaving.
Misaki shook her head at the look in Naruto's eyes. "Relax, Naruto-niisan. She'll be here when we get back." She grabbed Naruto's collar and dragged him to meet up with Sasuke and Sakura. "What's the mission, anyhow, Naruto?" She asked.
"We're supposed to go to the Hidden Mist and meet up with the Mizukage. Then we're to help escort her to the Leaf." Naruto informed. "Though, the details to why are actually classified. Only if we knew exactly why the Mizukage is coming here..." He started, getting Sasuke's interest, along with Sakura's as he leaned closer to Misaki.
"You aren't getting anything. Let's go, already." Misaki said, smirking as they took off, passing by Kiba's team, who was just returning. Ignoring him, she followed her 'team' closely to be sure that they didn't fail the mission, which rarely happened. When it did, however, they often went right back out and did another mission. She, along with the others, stopped when they felt they were being watched. "I barely recognize this chakra..." She stated.
"You know this chakra?" Naruto questioned.
"Fufufu... Smart girl. Not to mention, you've grown stronger. All thanks to the lowlifes you're with." A woman's voice jeered, seemingly coming from all around them. Slowly, a cloaked figure appeared, raven hair streaming from her head. "Misaki Kawaguchi, or should I say, Misaki Yamanaka-Uzumaki?"
Misaki's brow furrowed at the first name. "Ka-What? I have no idea what that name is supposed to mean. We're on a mission, so leave." She stated. "Miyu, why do you keep coming after me?"
Miyu smirked softly before four others appeared. "Isn't it obvious? I need you for my goal to become Queen of the Five Nations. With you, I will force the others to make me the queen or else die from your kekkai genkai."
"How do you know so much about me?" Misaki asked.
Naruto blinked. "You look like Miyu, Misaki... I didn't notice until now! Why do you look like Misaki?"
Miyu and Misaki blinked and looked at each other, a small hint of shock crossing Miyu's face. "Wait... How old are you, Misaki?" She asked.
"Sixteen as of October of last year... Why?" Misaki informed, guarding her emotions.
"Is your father around? I'd like to give him a piece of my mind." Miyu questioned.
"He died a few years ago. Do you know?" Came the reply.
"So... She's your..." Sasuke stated.
Misaki's eyes widened behind her mask. Having input from her friends, she had her mask made to look like a bunny with the structure but a cat with the markings. "M-Mother?" She questioned before walking over and punching Miyu in the face and would've killed her if Sasuke and the others hadn't dragged her away.
"Easy, Misaki!" Sakura calmed, restraining her before letting her go.
Misaki's mask fell off from the movement of her head, showing to not only her friends, but her 'foes', that she was crying. She collapsed into tears and glared at the woman claiming to be her mother. "W-Why?! Why did you leave me!? Do you have any i-i-idea ho-how hard i-it was!?" She screamed, forgetting the number one rule of ANBU: Sealing off emotions. "I-I'm not r-related to you! Ino-itoko has been more of a family than you have been! Even Naruto-niisan, who I've only known for less than three years, has become a better family to me!"
Naruto knelt down and let Misaki sob into his vest while glaring at the woman. "I'd leave now before we really hurt you. The past few times we had been holding back until we learned about your style." He stated with such calmness, it even shook Sasuke and Sakura.
Miyu bit the inside of her lip. "Wh-What if I turned myself in for my actions during the war? After all, I took over both organizations... And I actually let, who was it..." She paused, thinking.
"It was Itachi..." A man replied, his blue eyes dimming in realization.
"Thank you, Osamu." Miyu stated. "I was the one to send Itachi out of the organization after Pain's death. Him and Kisame. Haven't heard from them since. But, if you want, I can tell you where they are."
Sasuke's attention was perked. "But I killed Itachi a long time ago. It was because of that that I got the Rinnegan to begin with."
Miyu chuckled. "You are wrong on one part, young Uchiha. It's true that you 'killed' Itachi, but did you check his pulse or even suspect his chakra levels went dormant?"
"But he was in the war under the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu. You lie worse than anyone I've met." Sasuke stated, beginning to get annoyed. He clearly looked ready to kill the woman at any moment and having difficulties reining in the urge.
Misaki finished crying and wiped away her tears to seal off her emotions, even towards her teammates. "The mission must be completed. Move out." She said.
"But what about-" Naruto began.
"That's an order. Move out." She stated bluntly, never opening her eyes as she grabbed her mask and replaced it.
The three were shocked at how cold she sounded, but heeded her orders, leaving with her, with Sakura sending a final glare at Miyu.
"I think that went over terribly... I am a terrible mother." Miyu whispered, hiding her own tears until Osamu placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'd give her time. She only recently just found out that you are her mother... It takes time to heal a good fourteen year gap." Osamu reasoned.
Misaki's team landed not far from their destination when she ordered them to rest up after the trek they had made. Her mind was racing, but she refused to let anyone disrupt her, even her own adoptive brother.
Naruto shared a worried look with Sakura and Sasuke, who had just sat down. "I don't like this. She's shut us all out. This is worse than when she told us about Kiba." Naruto sighed, dropping to the ground and made the fire.
"I can actually see why." Sakura said, keeping her eyes on her friend's back. When she glanced back, both Sasuke and Naruto wore the same confused look. "Think of it like this: you grow up with out a family, then all of a sudden your birth mother shows up and demands ridiculous things. Your world would be upside down and you'd have to question if you know what is right and what is wrong..." She said, staring at the fire.
Naruto sighed. "Still, she should know we trust her."
Sasuke glared. "You are an idiot. It's not that we trust her. She is trying to figure out if she can trust herself."
"I don't get it." Naruto pouted and shrugged.
Sakura and Sasuke shared a glance before both hit their foreheads and Sakura tried to explain it to her friend. "Think of it this way: imagine if someone close to you, who you thought was dead, was alive and after you. Wouldn't you be confused about yourself and everything?"
Naruto blinked before it dawned on him. "Oh... I see. Man, I'm an idiot."
"Already knew it, dobe." Sasuke replied, a grin on his face before the two went about arguing about something.
Misaki sat at a base of a tree overlooking a meadow, her mind in a cycle. 'M-M-Mother is alive... Or... At least my birth mother... Why... Well, I was young, so maybe Poppa didn't want to say Mamma wasn't my birth mother... Perhaps my whole life has been a lie now... My friendships, my family, everything... A lie..' She sighed and looked sadly at the field, something in her mind noting that it would be nice to bring Sai here to show him a great landscape due to how lovely it was. 'Can I even say I'm a true Leaf kunoichi? Or that I belong? Maybe I will turn into Miyu... I don't know what to do anymore.. I wish Ino-itoko was here to talk to. Or, hell, Kiba-kun. Despite the huge gap between us, he still listens to me...' She sighed again before standing up and walking back to her team to apologize. Rubbing her eyes, she was surprised she had been crying, not knowing the reason why. Upon returning to camp, she focused on the fire as she spoke. "I'm sorry I acted that way." She said.
"It's alright, Misaki-chan. You need some time to think sometimes." Naruto said, sitting next to her. "How about, when we get back to the village, I treat you to ramen and you and I talk?" He suggested.
Misaki imagined her adoptive brother talking with her about this and actually smiled before laughing softly. "The ramen idea sounds amazing, nii-san, but you and I both know you aren't really one to talk." She said, seeing him deflate. "But, I said I'd take you up on that ramen idea. Maybe Hinata-chan will come." She guessed, knowing the Hyuga heiress had become her best friend when Sakura or Ino were busy.
The mention made Sakura grin. "Now that would be a sight. Hinata will be listening while Naruto gets to stare lovingly at her." She giggled at the flush on Naruto's face. "It's true."
"Hey... I can stare all I want at my girlfriend... What's the excuse for you staring at teme?" Naruto countered.
Sasuke's brow rose in confusion when Sakura looked away with a bigger blush as Misaki leaned over. "I believe Saku-chan might still have the slightest crush on you." She whispered, nodding her head when he blinked. "But, you didn't hear it from me." She sighed, wondering what she'd do when Naruto and Hinata had a child, then all her other friends had kids. She'd be the virgin aunt, the crazy lady that everyone somehow likes and will probably be dead before said kids reach their twenties. Reaching nearby, she found a stick so she could poke the fire as she glanced at their firewood, she saw they were running low on twigs. "Say, Sasu-kun, we're running low on wood. Would you mind gathering some up? In fact, I believe you and Saku-chan are great at gathering things. Me and nii-san might get things ready for a quick snack." She said, a sly grin growing on her face.
Naruto, surprisingly, caught on. "And perhaps you guys might wanna do a real quick scouting?" He suggested.
"Hn. Why not." Sasuke shrugged, getting to his feet at the same time as Sakura, who looked relieved to get out of the campsite for a while.
The two left and Naruto and Misaki shared a smirk as Naruto took a seat beside her. "We didn't need those, did we?" He whispered.
Misaki shook her head. "This will get those two even closer to admitting they do have tender feelings." She replied, nodding slightly as she stretched her legs out in front of her. "Say, nii-san... Am I really a kunoichi from the Leaf? Or is that something that has just been a lie?" She asked, deciding to find out from her adoptive brother if it were the truth.
"Why'd you question something like that? To be a ninja from the Leaf, I learned, is to be willing to sacrifice everything for something special. It's something you've heard all over: the Leaf Village is known for their 'Will of Fire'. We fight with everything in us to keep the village safe. So far, you've done just that. During the fight with Ten-Tails and Kaguya, you showed that very same fire inside that all of us Leaf ninja." He grinned. "That and you're my sister, the closest either of us have to family and I know that you're amazing."
Misaki sighed and smiled. "And that's what I'm confused about. Maybe it's a matter of time before I turn into Mi-my birth mother."
"As if. I'd fight to keep you here, Misaki. That's-"
"That's what a Leaf ninja does... I know."
"I was going to say that that's what I do." Naruto stated. "I'd go through hell and back to see you back in the Leaf again."
Misaki blinked and looked back at the fire, taking her brother's words before deciding to hear what the other two though of it.
Sasuke smirked when they were far enough away. "She has been around the dobe way to long."
Sakura nodded. "Yeah. Though, I see more Ino-pig." She said, rotating her shoulders. "She could've just asked to have alone time with Naruto. I mean, she is his sister now." She shook her head at the fact as she put a pondering look as she neared him. "How's the arm healing?"
Sasuke lifted the left arm, which was to replace the one he lost in his last battle with Naruto. "Still a little sore, but I can at least fight with it."
Sakura smirked. "Uh-huh. Lemme just check it." She used her chakra to not only heal it a little more but to check to see how it was really. "I guess you're right. But, no using Chidori with that one until we're sure the chakra points are completely healed and accept your chakra." She scolded lightly.
"Hn. Rodger, ma'am." He said, returning the smirk.
"Quit being a smart ass, Sasuke-kun." Sakura warned. "I can easily make you one-armed again."
"Sounds like a challenge, SaKuRa." He replied as they returned to see Misaki was passed out on Naruto's shoulder, with Naruto also passed out against the tree. He grinned slightly. "They even snore the same."
"Scary thought. Well, Misaki-chan has had an eventful day... Perhaps tomorrow will be better." Sakura stretched before allowing herself to rest up, knowing their mission, with Misaki leading, will continue in the morning, despite the setback for Misaki.
By morning, Misaki was back to her pre-Miyu self. She even got Sasuke to grin, something only Team 7 could do. She sighed before deciding to ask the other two what she asked Naruto last night. "Am I really a kunoichi from the Leaf? Or is that something that has just been a lie?"
"What? Of course you are. You're as much a kunoichi of the Leaf as I am, Misaki-chan." Sakura explained. "You've been in the Leaf long enough for all of us to call you one of our own. Even Lady Tsunade took a shine to you."
Sasuke nodded slightly. "And only you can really deal with the dobe. Not many can actually live with him. Even with what I did, I saw immediately that you are a Leaf ninja. Perhaps even the strongest in the village..."
"I'm not and you know it. You, Naruto-nii and Sakura-chan are the next Sannin. I'm just an ANBU leader." Misaki sighed and pouted. "I'm no where near Sannin-level in anything. Look, I nearly lost control of my Jibakugan during the war twice."
"No you didn't. It was Kaguya's illusions that made you think that." Sasuke mentioned, a hint of anger still lingering at the Rabbit Goddess.
Misaki nodded. "It was kinda nice though... In the dream she sent me, it was everything I wanted. Both my parents actually were going to serve me dinner and everyone was there, including... Kiba-kun..." She deflated at the thought. "Well, at least I know that I have a family of my own."
Naruto grinned. "You bet! You don't need anyone else! I'll kill anyone who tries anything to upset you!" He vowed.
Misaki and Sakura shared a look and giggled as they arrived in the Hidden Mist Village, seeing Mei and her guards waiting. "Sorry for the delay, Lady Mizukage." Misaki bowed. "We ran into a bump."
"No worries... I expected it to be something serious, since Tsunade's students normally get here so early we have time for tea." Mei teased. "But, she's not getting younger... or older..."
Sakura grinned. "Don't let Lady Tsunade hear that. She's still a Sannin, don't forget."
Mei smiled. "Something she never told you is..."
"MEI! Glad you're here. Took long enough. Did you four get lost? When Kakashi told me you dragged Misaki with, Naruto, I nearly lost it. You know I had the Raikage visiting to talk to Misaki." Tsunade said, clearly angered.
"But... Granny. She's the best ANBU, and well, I wanted-"
"Shut it! Get back to headquarters. Yamato will tell you and Sasuke why you only take orders from the HOKAGE! Not your brain!" Tsunade ordered. "Sakura, make sure they get there. Then you head to the hospital. Ayame and a few others wanted you to check them up." She said with a smile. Sakura nodded furiously and dragged Sasuke and Naruto towards the ANBU headquarters, leaving Misaki with Mei and Tsunade. "Good. While I have you near, there is something grand I need to tell you first before I announce it to the village."
Misaki looked confused. "Milady, what..."
Mei patted Misaki's head. "Relax. We'll tell you."
She blinked and shrugged before the three walked towards the Hokage Monument where Tsuande often was, drunk, gambling or giving out orders.
"Granny is scary sometimes." Naruto said once he and Sasuke dropped off Sakura at the hospital. "No wonder Pervy Sage was so afraid of her."
"Whatever, idiot. You were the one to get her mad." Sasuke said, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pants.
"Hey! Who wanted Sakura-chan to come with? For once, I didn't even think of it!" He shot back.
That got the Uchiha to blush ever so slightly, though it was barely visible to anyone besides his teammates. "Hn. I was just thinking we would need a medic with in case of something went wrong. And it was a good thing, too. Imagine if we both ran into Miyu and weren't prepared." He hastily replied.
"Uh-huh. Yeah. I think you like Sakura-chan but won't admit it!" Naruto teased, grinning. "And I thought I had a hard time admitting to myself that I loved Hina-hime."
"Shut up..." Sasuke growled, not even looking at his friend.
Naruto looked pleased and put his hands behind his head. "It's alright. I completely understand." He nodded.
"WHAT?!" Misaki's disbelieved shout echoed throughout the room. "You are joking, Lady Tsunade! I..." Her eyes rolled back and Gaara had to catch her least she crack her head open.
"Told you she wouldn't believe it." The Raikage said, grunting.
"Bah. When you told it to her like that, Raikage, I was surprised she managed three thoughts." The Tsuchikage reminded. "Silly boy. Bluntly telling her is very bad."
"I agree. A, you need lessons on how to talk to a lady." Mei teased as Misaki came around. "Ahhh. Sorry for him.."
"It's alright... I'm just.. shocked.." Misaki said.
"Well, we don't need an answer for a little while, so go mull it through for as long as you like. We'll be here when you've done that." Tsunade reassured, smiling.
Misaki took the opportunity and nodded. "Right, Milady.." She darted out of the room, her mind in such a blur that she nearly ran under almost anyone that got in her way, eventually ending up on the hill near the Academy. Using her ability to sense chakra, she felt the rest of the Konoha 13 join her.
"Something up, Misaki?" Hinata asked, concerned. "Hanabi told me you nearly ran her under earlier."
"Huh? Oh.. Sorry about that.. I have a huge thing on my mind right now.." Misaki weakly laughed before sighing and looking out at her home.
"What's up?" Kiba asked.
"Well..." She began.
Hahahahaha! Cliffhangers everywhere! This story gets one, that one gets one, EVERYONE gets a cliffhanger.
Deidara: Calm down with the cliffhangers, sweet.
Me: Well, alright.. Lemme know what you think the five Kage told Misaki!
~~Skittles~~