Akaya hated the new Hokage that had taken over in the wake of Danter's death. He thought he was better than everyone just because of the title, but she guessed everyone might let the power go to their heads. She couldn't even believe that he was related to the former Hokage or to his nephew. And yet, that's not what got to her the most. She hated that he didn't listen to the shinobi that worked hard everyday to protect the village that they loved and who followed his orders without question. But more importantly, he wouldn't listen to her. It was understandable that he might not take her advice over a Jounin or ANBU, but to completely ignore her words infuriated Akaya.

Akaya sat on her couch and placed her pen on the coffee table in front of her. She had just finished her paperwork for her most recent assignment. It was a very basic one. Ever since the incident, the village had restricted its difficult assignments as much as possible. Even though she was always at the top of her class, she was given crappy assignments that anyone with a working brain could complete with ease. She was a chounin now. The one of two Konoha ninjas that actually passed the exam. And yet, she received better missions at a lower rank.

But she wasn't going to the Hokage to complain. She was going to request a favor, more or less. She hated talking to the Hokage about anything, let alone the biggest favor she'd ever asked anyone to do. She knew it would be a waste of time to ask, but she had to try for Tajek's sake, as well as for the little sanity she still had.

Akaya got up from her couch and headed outside. She locked her front door and headed toward Konoha. The village, even with the chaos swarming around it, was tranquil. A light breeze flowed through the streets, and flowers were in full bloom. From bright pink to the deepest shade of blue, the flowers lined the village in perfect harmony. Akaya used to walk the streets this time of year and take in everything about the village, but now, she no longer possessed a sense of innocence. It didn't exist because she knew heartache. Idealism was becoming a foreign concept to her as every day passed.

She walked up the street toward the Hokage's office. She had known the way for quite some time now. She knew where every hallway led and how each room looked. She gave a small smirk at the memories of the last Hokage watching Tajek and her together and in some odd way giving his approval. She flashed back into the reality because she knew that most of the Montair family was dead. The smirk evaporated within moments. Tajek was the Montair she knew was alive besides his uncle. Now she had to convince the Hokage of that.

She entered the Hokage's building with butterflies in her stomach and absolutely no plan of action. She always had a plan of action, but this time, she couldn't think up one. She was going to approach the topic in the only way she knew how to: through her emotions. And that was what she feared the most. Her fear overcame her as she knocked on the door. She knew his fate laid in her hands and in the Hokage's answer. As she turned the knob, she trembled a little and cleared her throat. This was a defining moment in her life. Yet, she already knew how it was going to end.

"Good afternoon Hokage." She tried her hardest to keep a respectable tone in her voice and to show no hesitation in her approach, "I have finished all of the paperwork you have requested me to fill out."

"Well, thank you very much, Aka...umm, anyways, I'm busy if you don't mind leaving."

He never looked up from the papers on his desk as he spoke.

Akaya stood in disbelief, and before she knew it, she became furious and let loose. "My name is Akaya, Hokage. And I would like to request to be able to talk to you before I leave to do another pointless task."

She clenched her fists as she stood waiting for his answer.

()

Sesoni waited outside the Hokage's office on a bench. He had originally wanted to speak with the Hokage immediately to get it over with. Although he was not completely fond of the Hokage, he had nothing against him. Sesoni had been waiting for several minutes when he had heard a familiar voice on the other side. He crossed his arms and smirked. "I didn't think she had it in her."

He began to eavesdrop on the conversation. He knew there was only one thing that got Akaya fired up enough to get her to speak out of turn, and that was Tajek. His day just got interesting.

()

"Tajek Montair is alive, sir. Is it not evident? Why would they kill the son if they already killed the Hokage? Wouldn't it make more sadness in the village if he was left alive?"

She hadn't noticed that she was yelling until the Hokage looked up from his papers. He smirked in an unsettling way to Akaya. He was definitely a Montair. Tajek had that same smirk. "That's right, you were his girlfriend and his first love. He mentioned you a lot."

He chuckled as if nothing had happened. As if nothing was wrong. "You are Akaya, and by the looks of it, you have changed immensely from his descriptions. Pretty none the less though. And bold and passionate too."

"He is still alive, Hokage. You know it too!" She was not at all amused by his antics and wanted the answer, "Well, is there going to be a search party or not?"

"No. That would be absurd. Everyone believes he is dead, and if I go by what one chounin says and her reasoning, this village will kill me." He went back to his papers. "You can leave now."

He motioned toward the door and Akaya walked slowly toward it. She turned back toward him once her hand hit the knob. "You left out the part where I'm smart too. I pick up on things fast, and I know when I'm right and wrong. I'm right, and you'll regret ever denying me this favor. Because if he turns up dead, this village will kill you in the most gruesome ways. I guarantee it."

Her voice was cold and empty. She didn't intend for her words to be a threat. More or less, she was trying to warn him. She opened the door, slipped through its entrance and slammed the door to grab the Hokage's attention.

Sesoni smiled unlike he had in a long time. Akaya was always quick-tempered and feisty, which is part of the reason why she got what she wanted. It was refreshing to see someone with that much passion. "You have always had courage, haven't you?" Akaya glanced to her right to see her friend properly sitting on the bench. "And you have grown up quite quickly as well. I obviously haven't seen you in awhile."

For a few seconds, Akaya brightly smiled. Sesoni had a way of calming her down, "So let me guess, you heard my conversation with the Hokage?"

She couldn't believe Sesoni was here again. The last time they talked was months ago.

"It was hard not to, believe it or not." He chuckled for awhile, and Akaya laughed along. She hadn't even laughed in months.

The moment didn't last long as Sesoni began to speak again, "So, you know he is alive too, don't you?"

Akaya looked him straight in the eyes. She almost never did this, but she knew Sesoni was the only one who would listen to her side. "I know he is. I know this sounds crazy, but I think he has been trying to reach me."

Sesoni stood up and approached Akaya, placing his hand on her shoulder. "It is not crazy, but true. He is alive, Akaya. But he is in a state where he can not come back to the village yet."

He looked down at his friend. She had grown up so quickly. She had cut her hair to a much shorter length, so her ponytail no longer swooped to the side. She had grown a few inches taller, and her face had matured. All the baby fat was gone. Like everyone else, she was headed closer to death with each year while he would remain alive through it all. He snapped out of his thinking when Akaya softly spoke.

"I'm going to go train now, Sesoni. Thank you for knowing the truth and listening to me." Akaya turned to head down the hallway, "By the way, the Hokage can see you now."

She gave him the biggest smile she could before she turned the corner.

Sesoni sighed and opened the door to see the Hokage at his desk. As he shut the door, he realized that the Hokage would listen to him on anything. Then his thoughts went to Akaya and Tajek. It reminded him of his love for Toku and how he would have done anything for her. Akaya did the thing she feared the most for Tajek, and it didn't pay off.

He sighed once again. "Sir, I'm here to talk about your nephew's disappearance."

She'll thank me for this later.