Chapter 3
Akari was happy to see her brother in the kitchen the next morning. He had made it home before the sun had risen and was now drinking tea with their parents. He gave her an odd look than asked her to take a walk with him. Slightly confused she agreed and together, with a list of groceries, they left the house.
Akari stared intently at some tomatoes, making sure they were up to her mother's standards. She could feel her brother watching her. As soon as she was sure, she placed her purchases in the basket he held. Riko didn't say anything for a while. He only smiled as they walked side by side through the streets. Once they had bought everything he took her to the park. Setting down the groceries, they sat down on the soft grass. Akari leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the sun bathe her skin in warmth.
"I was followed out there." Riko spoke.
Akari didn't open her eyes. She merely frowned and nodded.
"I wasn't sure at first but then I noticed a figure in a mask tailing us. I thought it was a regular A.N.B.U but when I paid closer attention I realized he was Root. Why did Danzo have me followed?" He questioned.
"He gave me an offer that I denied. In order for me to keep quiet about it he threatened your life. It seems he knows more about me than I thought." She muttered.
"How much exactly?" Her brother asked clearly worried.
He didn't like the leader of the Root at all. He sure as hell didn't like the fact that he was so interested in his sister. It was bad enough that she was hanging around Itachi and in love with Sasuke. He didn't believe they were bad people but their lives were far from safe. She was in constant danger around them, and now Danzo.
"He hasn't found anything overly important just yet. I'm going to need to be more careful to make sure he doesn't."
She opened her eyes and watched as a raven flew overhead. She stared at it lazily with slight irritation. She didn't think he would be calling so soon.
"If he finds out the truth, who knows what he will do. Either he tries to use you or have you killed. I for one don't like either of those options." Riko told her.
"He won't. I'll find a way to keep him in the dark." She assured her brother.
Riko nodded and stood. He took the groceries and looked down at her still worried. Reaching down he ruffled her hair. Smiling she let him help her up.
"Okay. I'll see you when you get back from wherever he's taking you."
Riko stared up at the large black bird. It was still hovering close by. Akari bit her lip and stared at her feet.
"Um. Riko…I don't know how long I'll be gone. This plan is going to stretch out over the next couple of weeks."
Her brother's forehead creased in confusion.
"It a complicated plan. If I get caught, they will kill me. I asked Itachi to send you a sign if something were to…happen."
"I see. So it's more dangerous than I thought." He didn't look happy.
"I'll be okay. Trust him to keep me safe. I do. Anyways don't freak out if you don't get any messages from me. I'll be back. Itachi says it won't be permanent." She told him.
Riko let out a heavy sigh. He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. He knew there was no changing her mind. She was going to leave and put herself in danger. They both did this often of course. They were Leaf Ninja after all, but the Akatsuki were different. It was them who took his twin from him. He didn't want them to take Akari as well.
"Alright. I'll let mom and dad know. Just promise that you'll be careful."
Akari nodded and waved as he left for home. The raven made its way down and landed on her shoulder. It rubbed its beak against her cheek in comfort. She gave it a small smile and stroked its wing.
"Let me get some food first and then I'll meet him at the cliff." She spoke to it.
It clucked in understanding and flew off. Akari made her way to back into the streets of the village. Ramen seemed like a fast meal so she made her way there. She stopped when she saw who else was there. It was Naruto of course, but he had company. Akari smiled as Hinata wiped the blond boy's cheek with a napkin. Naruto seemed to blush but grinned widely at the Hyuuga.
She had planned to go elsewhere and give them privacy but Hinata noticed her and waved. Once she did Naruto did as well. He had a strange look in his face as he stood and ran up to her. The boy grabbed her hands and held them between his. He stared at her with a pleading look in her eyes. Akari blinked in surprise. She glanced at Hinata nervously, but the girl merely continued to eat.
"Thank God I saw you! Everyone else is super busy with other things so none of them could help me!" Naruto told her.
"Umm. Help you with what exactly?" Akari asked.
"Team Kakashi is going on a mission but were a member short! Granny won't let us go without a fourth! Please Akari! Go with us!" He pleaded.
Akari frowned. So that's what this was about. Again she looked to Hinata. The Hyuuga was watching her expectantly. She was probably hoping she would agree. There was no way she could. Danzo wouldn't take kindly to her going after she denied him. Besides, there was also him. She saw a shadow of a large bird pass over them. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head.
"I'm sorry Naruto. I'm leaving on my own mission today."
The boy's face fell. He dropped her hands and groaned in frustration.
"Aww man! Where am I going to find someone now?" He muttered.
Hinata made her way over to them. She gave Akari a friendly smile before taking Naruto's hand.
"I'm sure you'll figure something out. Anyways, I need to go now. My team is leaving soon." Hinata told him.
Naruto nodded before picking her off her feet in a tight embrace. The Hyuuga giggled in surprise. Once safely on the floor she gave the boy a small peck on the cheek. With that, she waved goodbye and left for her assignment.
"I'm really sorry I can't go with you Naruto. I wish I could." Akari told the boy.
He watched Hinata disappear around a corner before turning to face her. He was smiling again thankfully.
"It's alright, you have your own problems to handle. Hinata's right. I'll figure it out."
"I see you two started right where you left off." Akari grinned.
"Yeah. She actually agreed to be my girlfriend. Can you believe that?" He blushed.
"I can. I'm glad for the two of you. I really am."
"Thanks. Anyways, if I'm going to find our fourth member I should get to it!" He said.
Akari nodded. As the boy turned to leave she noticed something strange.
"Um. Naruto? What's that on your shoulder?" She questioned.
He looked to where she was pointing. There was some type of black residue on the boys clothing. He wiped at it with his finger and took a closer look. Then a look of contempt crossed his face.
"I was with Shikamaru and Choji when some crazy guy attacked us. He was using ink to create these weird lion things. He managed to get away before I could kick his ass!" He explained.
Ink? That was different.
"Oh. That's weird. Well I guess I should get going." She said.
"Yeah me too." He smiled.
"And Naruto, please be careful out there." She told him.
Akari couldn't keep the worry from her voice. He blinked at her in confusion before nodding in agreement. She left him there without buying her food. She wasn't hungry anymore.
Before she met Itachi she made one final stop. Opting to use the door she leaped up to the Hokage's window. Knocking lightly she let herself in. She found that Lady Tsunade wasn't alone.
"Im sorry. Is this a bad time?" She said in surprise.
The man in the room gave her knowing smile. It looked as if he knew her but she certainly didn't know him. She turned to the Hokage.
"You're fine. Akari, this is Yamato. He'll be joining Team Kakashi until Kakashi is back on his feet." Lady Tsunade told her.
Akari stared at the man. That's when she noticed he was holding an A.N.B.U mask in his hands. It was very familiar. On closer inspection, she finally recognized it.
"Tenzo!" She cried out.
His smile widened.
"I was wondering when you would figure it out." He told her.
"Well it was a little hard without the mask!" She grinned.
This made her feel a whole lot better. She could trust Tenzo to keep her friends safe. Sai would have a hard time completing his mission around him. The thought of the boy from the Root made her frown.
"Lady Tsunade? Have you found a fourth member for their team?" Akari asked.
"Unfortunately we have. Danzo has ordered me to allow a member of his Root to go with them. That's why I'm sending Yamato. He's to keep a close eye on this Sai character." The woman said.
Akari could tell she wasn't okay with this. She knew how the Fifth felt about Danzo. This also made her feel better. If the Hokage was suspicious of Sai, then he'll have less of chance to get away with his plans.
"Okay. Sounds good." She said.
"Akari, was there a reason you dropped by?" Lady Tsunade asked.
"Oh! Yeah! I came to tell you that I'm going away on that certain mission we talked about." Akari told her.
"I see. Then I guess you won't be around for a while." The woman muttered.
"No. I'll be away for a few days."
"Just be careful. I don't want you losing your life over something us older ninja should be handling."
"Of course. I'm sure I'll be fine. He'll be with me after all."
"Probably the only reason I agreed to this crazy plan. Okay. Get going then. Come back alive if you can."
The older woman rubbed her face stressfully. She didn't like the idea of sending the young girl into the hands of the Akatsuki. If Akari hadn't been so adamant about it, she would have never allowed it. The girl had insisted though. She was dead set on protecting Naruto and Gaara.
"Yes my Lady. Take care of Naruto, Tenzo."
Akari leaped out the window. Quickly, she arrived at the gate of the village. She slowed down once she was outside. Knowing that she was probably being watched, she created a clone. Then she used her transparency jutsu. Kneeling down she watched the clone head in the opposite direction. She didn't have to wait long before she saw a figure follow after it. Rolling her eyes she left for the cliff.
Itachi was waiting when she arrived. He held some sort of material in his hands. Akari grimaced at the sight of it.
"Do I really have to wear that?" She asked.
"Yes you do. It's not entirely like mine because you're not officially a member but you're affiliated with them now." He told her.
"How long did it take you to convince them to let me join? They haven't even met me yet." She asked.
Akari still didn't take the item form his hands. She was getting nervous. Once she put it on, it meant it was really happening. She was really doing this.
"It took some convincing, but seeing as how I hardly ask for anything they figured they'd take the chance. Besides, like I said, you're not a member. Only a possible recruit. Like that idiot Tobi. Now put it on!"
He tossed the cloak to her. Akari sighed heavily as she unfolded it. It was a dark black and covered in red clouds. Itachi was right, it wasn't entirely like his. This one had a hood instead of a chin-high collar. A detail she appreciated. And at least she could wear her regular outfit underneath. Still, she pouted as she put it on. Itachi rolled his eyes slightly amused by her discomfort.
"It feel like I'm cheating on the village wearing this." She whined.
"Did you bring a mask like I asked?"
Akari nodded and put it on. It covered her nose and lower-half of her face similar to Kakashi.
"I don't see why you insisted on keeping me away from them all this time when I was just going to wear a mask."
"What happens if you run into someone you know? Also, I always planned to have you wear a mask. It's safer for you this way. But, there is still a chance that they will ask you to take it off. Which is why I couldn't have you running to save the Kazekage!"
"You still haven't apologized for the raven down my throat by the way." She accused.
"Because I don't have too." He answered. "Now stop complaining and let's go. They don't like to be kept waiting. Also, you're beginning to get on my nerves."
"How rude." She muttered.
Itachi smirked at her and began to walk away. Pulling the hood over her head she followed. They traveled for hours. Neither of them spoke. Somewhere along the way, Akari pulled out her kunai. Biting her lip she twirled it between her fingers. Her thought were becoming very negative. Like what if they saw right through her! They would kill her! And then maybe Itachi!
She blinked in confusion as her kunai was taken from her hand. Itachi stood in front of her with her weapon in his grip. Without a word, he reached out and put it back in her holster.
"Stop worrying. If you stay calm there won't be a problem. Besides, I won't let anything happen to you."
He patted her head in reassurance. Then he motioned for her to keep going. Feeling better she took a deep breath and continued on her way.