Hello! I hope you'll like this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own the OCs in this fic, the rest is Masashi Kishomoto's. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or any OCCness.

Character age:

Akane, Itachi: 22, 21

Naruto, Sasuke: 16

Shisui: 25

Kakashi: 30

"Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru. They're the shinobi I'd like to lead." Tsunade-san looked at me in interest.

Dad had been spotted.

"Explain why them."

"I've personally trained Hinata years ago and her Byakugan range is one of the best one in her clan. Neji on the other hand has a great analytic mind and can take the lead in case. His Byakugan can not see as far as Hinata's, but it is less likely to miss something in its own range as well. Shikamaru is stupidly smart, once with the information in hands, he'll be able to come up with several strategies." I narrowed my eyes. "I also count on him to come up with something if I am unable to."

"Ushio needed you, you think he wants you to try the same thing." I nodded.

"I realized that I had no real memories of what happened except for Fubuki dying. He could have done something to me on the way. He's an expert in mind seals, for all I know I have a puppet seal like Kakashi had that will make me go to him." She pursed her lips.

"It would be troublesome. Worst case scenario, you end up being an enemy. Are Neji's and Hinata's Byakugan alright?" I nodded.

"Neji had his seal removed but none of them received the new one. I actually told them I might get a particular mission and need them and they both agreed to wait to receive the seal."

"You thought this through."

"It is the only shot my father will give us. Tobi is already dangerous enough, like Pain, taking out someone of Namikaze Minato's caliber as soon is possible is a must."

"Agree." She watched me sliding an envelop to her. "Your will?" I nodded. She sighed. "I guess you prepared everything already?" I smiled faintly.

"I know better than dying without being prepared now Tsunade-san." Her gaze told me it wasn't funny. "Sorry."

"The day after tomorrow." I blinked. "Use tomorrow to finalize your preparations." I bowed.

"Alright, thank you."

"The Mizukage still has shinobi posted around the place. As Ushio is from Kiri, the order is to avoid killing him if possible."

We discussed about details while the others arrived.

"Come in." Neji, Hinata and Shikamaru appeared. "Good afternoon you three."

"Hokage-sama," they replied in sync. Her gaze went on each of them and she nodded to herself.

"Nara Shikamaru, Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Neji, you three will be under Uzumaki Akane's leadership on an A-rank mission." I stepped up to them, leaving the wall I was leaning against. They shot me a look.

"A-rank?" Neji asked with a blank face. Tsunade-san nodded.

"Uzumaki Ushio has been spotted, meaning Hoshigaki Kisame is most likely with him. This mission is directly in collaboration with the Hidden Mist. Your team has to go at the Eien Hansen and incapacitate Ushio. Avoiding killing him is preferable." Especially for my own personal eternal rest.

"Eien Hansen?" Shikamaru repeated.

"Akane will explain in full details on the way as she is necessary for this mission." She looked distant for an instant. "Just keep in mind Uzumaki Ushio is a Fuinjutsu expert who was considered as the Fourth Mizukage before he left Kiri. The Fourth Hokage did not manage to defeat him."

"It sounds troublesome."

"It is," the Hokage confirmed. "The place you're going to is in the Land of Water. Therefore, once the mission complete, you will report to the Mizukage first. Questions?" They shook their head. "Alright. You will leave in two days. Akane, the way you'll proceed is up to you." I nodded. "Dismissed." They left, Neji shooting me a quick glance over his shoulder when Tsunade-san asked me to stay.

"Yes?"

"Remember to keep your head on your shoulders, alright?" she asked me, more kindly. I nodded.

"I know Tsunade-san." I left.

I spent the rest of my day carefully getting ready. Sasuke, Itachi and Shisui had their transplant today. Sasuke would probably resent me for going on that mission when he was in the hospital but...he'd get over it.

I hope.

"Hey," I greeted Kakashi the next afternoon as he entered the cemetery. I had brought flowers to everyone and stayed a while longer on my brother's grave. "I wanted to see you." He raised his brow, not stopping his reading. He stopped next to me.

"What's up?"

"I'm going on a mission. To deal with Dad." He shut his book and looked at me with a frown.

"Team?"

"Hinata, Neji and Shikamaru."

"Unexpected." We both stared at my brother's grave, Kakashi more and more uneasy next to me. "I probably should tag along."

"Bad idea," I told him immediately.

"Akane, your father…"

"I know, but if I don't make it Naruto will need you. He has never lost anyone from his family before, if I don't come back...he'll need all the support he can get. That, and you're the only one who was there that day. If we fail, you'll be on the team sent as backup."

"...alright," he accepted grudgingly. I smiled softly.

"Thanks Kakashi, for always being here for me." He looked at me. I returned his glance a few seconds later. "I never thanked you for that. I know I love to piss you off but...I really appreciate having a reliable brotherly figure Kashi-nii." I hugged him immediately, not wanting to see his face.

He had lost so much already...I hated telling him I would leave as well but...I'd rather make useless goodbyes than none at all.

"Keep up the good work, Kakashi-sensei," I told him as I walked away.

I went home, at Mom's, in the evening. Naruto and Fū were there and Mom was cooking. The two local jinchurikis got along great, I was sure Naruto was glad to have someone who could fully understand him around all the time.

"Nee-chan!" I hugged Naru tightly when he greeted me. "Heh? You're okay?" He hugged me back.

"I'm fine, I just wanted to give you a big hug." I waved back at the green-haired kunoichi.

"O...kay…" he trailed off, put off by my behavior. I kissed him on the cheek. "Nee-chan I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Then stop whining." I let go of him and skipped to Mom. "Mommy!" She put down her chopsticks and turned around to receive my hug.

"What's going on?" she whispered in my ear.

"Tell you later," I replied quietly. "What are we eating?"

"Takenoko gohan." Bamboo rice? "Mebuki-san made some for Sakura's birthday so I thought I should try it out at home."

"There are clams as well," Naruto added, flopping down in the couch.

We ate dinner together. I listened to Naruto and Fū enthusiastically talking about their training and missions, eating my mom's cooking. It had been a while.

It had been a while since I had a family dinner like that.

I helped Mom with the dishes afterward while the two teenagers went to their rooms.

"So, what is it?" Mom asked me as I was wiping a glass.

"I have a mission tomorrow."

"What's so special about thi…"

"You know, one of the good things about all this is that I've been able to close chapters instead of skipping them," I interrupted her, staring at my reflection in the glass. "I...never talked about it before, thinking it would just go away."

"Honey…"

"Have you ever resented me Mom?" She blinked in surprise. "I...all of the teenage drama and stuff, you never had it…" She giggled.

"You've had enough drama as it was, and Naruto is there for the teenage aspect of things. No matter what, you'll always be my daughter." I smiled softly.

"Yeah, I'm your daughter." I put the glass in the cupboard. "I'm also a grown woman though."

"Meaning?"

"I can't really run away from my dad forever, can I?" I whispered, making her widen her eyes.

"Aka…"

"I'm scared, I can't lie about that but...Dad has to be dealt with you know. I'm going with Neji, Hinata and Shikamaru. I told Kakashi if something went wrong he'd be backup." She was dead silent. I shot her look. She was conflicted. "Mom...do you still love him?"

"I…" In spite of being an Uzumaki, Mom rarely showed her temper. "I still don't know." I tilted my head. "Your dad was my best friend and husband, yet this happened and...I should have seen something was off but I didn't...I want to understand."

"Me too." I patted my stomach. "This family soul in me...he told me Dad must have had a reason but nobody knew it. I want to understand to. I want to understand why onii-chan died." She took my hand in her shaking one.

"Please come back." I lowered my gaze.

"I'll do what I can." I shot the clock a look. "Damn, it's late and I have one last stop to make." I wiped my hands on the towel and went toward the door. "Take care."

"Nee-chan." I froze and looked above my shoulder, a shoe already on.

"Naru?" He looked serious and conflicted as well at the bottom of the stairs. "Ar…"

"Good luck on your mission, just come back."

He heard.

I was sure he heard more than what I was comfortable with but he chose to not mention it. I smiled faintly at him.

"I'll do my best."

"Love you," he said more quietly. I gazed softly at him.

"Love you too Naru. Love you too Mom." She took Naru's hand.

I was reminded of when I left at sixteen to go back to Kiri, how Naru screamed at me to stay.

"See you." I shut the door quietly behind me.

One last stop, the hospital. Visiting hours were over, but I sensed the three Uchihas easily. Their chakra were stupidly stronger than anyone else.

Hopefully for me, they seemed to be in different rooms. I stopped at Sasuke's first. He turned his head toward me when I randomly used his marker to teleport to him. His eyes were covered by a white, thick cloth. I think it was white, I only had the moonlight as light after all.

"Nee-san?"

"How did it go?" He relaxed.

"Good. I can't use my eyes for at least two weeks if not more. I have to stay here for a week." I nodded.

"Good news then."

"Did something happen?"

"Huh?"

"You're weird, and it's nighttime, visits are over. Did something happen?" I sighed.

"Or you're perceptive, or you know me very well."

"Both." I flicked him in the forehead. "Hey!"

"I'm going on a mission first thing tomorrow. I'm dealing with my dad." He turned his face to me, even if he couldn't see me. "Chill, you were not coming anyway."

"But that guy is…"

"I know, I know. I wanted to see you before leaving." He pursed his lips.

"You're coming back right?"

"Who knows?" He pursed his lips and I put my hand in his hair when he opened his mouth, struggling to form words. "I know Sasuke, you don't have to say anything." I smiled. "You know what, I'm gonna tell you something." I lowered myself so that my ear was right next to his ear. "If everything goes well, you'll be 1.82-meter tall, you'll be taller than Itachi." I straightened up. "Get well soon Sasuke, and don't die." I left his room and went to the one the closest to it.

Itachi it was. I opened the door quietly and closed it the same way behind me. I looked at him in the bed. He didn't budge. I slowly tiptoed to him and stared at his face. Like Sasuke, his eyes were covered.

I sighed in relief.

"He's sleeping, good," I whispered to myself. I smiled to myself.

He looked peaceful. He was healthy and while as a shinobi he was almost all the time on his guard, he could relax in Konoha. Unconsciously, I reached out to a strand of hair to put it back in place but stopped myself an inch from it. I blushed and glared at the ceiling as my hand went back to my side.

"Bad idea dummy," I muttered to myself. I sighed softly when I looked back at him. "Stupid Uchiha genes, you're too handsome for your own good Itachi." I smiled faintly. "I can't believe I seriously fell in love with you all over again...the one thing I forbade myself to do...I totally blame it on you." I chuckled faintly. "Thank you for being you Itachi. I didn't regret it the first time, and I can't find it in myself to regret it now." I took a deep breath, knowing it would probably be the last time I'd see him. "I know you'll find a way to get involve in all that's coming. I wanted to protect you, but I know that your brain will be useful. I'll entrust this matter to you." I turned around and started to walk away. "Goodbye."

I breathed out deeply once in the hallway and went to my last stop.

"Pssttt, you awake?" I asked, my head in his room.

"Pssttt, unfortunately yes," was Shisui's answer. Unlike the other two, I finally had some eye contact as only his right eye was covered. I closed the door behind me. "It's late."

"I know." I sat down next to his legs on his bed.

"You okay there? You seem preoccupied."

"I'm fine, it's just weird to think you might be engaged soon." He blushed slightly and I gazed softly at him. "You'll be happy right?"

"I'll do what I can at least." He frowned. "No offense, but you coming in my room at night to ask me this is worrying." I laughed.

"It is weird, isn't it?" I looked at him with a smile. "You know, mini-Shisuis will be cute." He blushed.

"K...kids? Th...that's…" He cleared up his throat. "You think I'd make a good father?" I nodded without an ounce of doubt.

"You've always been good with Naruto. If one day it's a project of yours, I'm sure you'll do a good job."

"...thanks…" I nodded and got up, but he caught my wrist before I left. "Why the sudden talk?" I shrugged.

"I felt like it. It's no big deal." I grinned at him. "See you!" I teleported back to my place and my grin fell as I leaned against the wall.

Tomorrow, seven o'clock. I walked around the apartment, making sure everything was clean and tidy. Then I went to my room. On my desk were six scrolls with a letter for each. Naru, Mom, Kakashi, Sasuke, Shisui and Itachi. There was an additional scroll with 'Kiri' written on it.

I looked down at them and smiled to myself. I was ready this time.

I went to bed.

I was there thirty minutes before the time. Shikamaru was the last one to arrive, but he was right on time nonetheless.

"Are you ready?" They nodded. "Alright, then we're heading for Uzushio, to the east. I will explain more once we're there."

We spent the day traveling. We reached Uzushio with a beautiful sunset. We set up camp in the old Uzumaki compound.

"Uzushio and Konoha really were close allies," Shikamaru noted, looking at the red whirlpool on a broken wall.

"Don't make me go through another lecture, you all had them," I said tiredly, stirring the stew.

"But seeing the remains of what was once a strong clan is certainly bringing you back to the reality of things," Neji said, looking in his cup of tea.

"It is...very sad," Hinata added quietly with a sad gaze.

"Well, they probably brought this upon themselves as well." They looked at me. "Clans who are known for being powerful can turn arrogant. The Uzumaki clan, while there were other clans in Uzushio, basically built the village's fame, but they weren't necessarily the most subtle about it. You've all met Naruto, he's not exactly subtle."

"Picturing a clan full of people like him is somehow terrifying," Neji told us. I chuckled and Hinata muffled a chuckle behind her closed fist.

"Agree, they would be troublesome." We ate, talking quietly.

Those were the moments in mission I'd enjoy.

I put down my bowl once I was done.

"Alright, time for serious business now. Our mission is to stop Uzumaki Ushio, my father, at the Eien Hansen. He will most likely try to use it. Basically, the Uzumaki clan possessed four ancient weapons. To this day, the Eien Hansen is the last functioning one. It is situated in the Land of Water, but I do not know where. However, there is a special place in Uzushio using a derivative of the Hiraishin. We'll use this to go there."

"What kind of weapon is it?"

"I have no clue."

"You don't know?" Shikamaru inquired with a brow raised. I showed our surroundings with my finger.

"This has been like this since the Second War. There must be information somewhere around here, but we don't have the time to look through it all. The library is completely immersed in water anyway. What I know though is what the Fourth Hokage found out. It supposedly absorbs all chakra."

"I fail to see how a weapon could absorb all chakra or even where it could store it," Neji pointed out with a frown. I shrugged.

"I don't know either. However, it does and requires a sacrifice to activate it. The Uzumaki clan was known for its strong vitality, so an Uzumaki clan member is required to activate that thing."

"Your father already tried to activate it in the past and wants to do it again then?" Shikamaru guessed. I raised a brow at him. "He's an Akatsuki member and is a big taboo to Naruto or Akiko-san, I figured he must have done something very bad."

"You're right. When I was four, during the Third War, my father decided to use it, probably to stop the war. Honestly, I can't tell you the reasons of his actions because I do not know them either." I hugged my knees to my chest. "Point is, he decided I'd be used to activate the Eien Hansen. He failed as the Fourth, Kakashi and my brother arrived before the end. Unfortunately, when my dad and the Fourth were fighting, Dad noticed Kakashi trying to leave with me. He tried to stop us. My brother died protecting us." I put my chin on my knees. "Time's not to be sad though. He failed long ago, but he could very well succeed today."

"If you're the sacrifice, why are you the one going?" I shot a deadpan look at Shikamaru.

"Have you ever fought against a Fuinjutsu expert?" He shook his head slowly. "Then you have your reason. I am the sacrifice he needs and will try to finish what he started, I'm sure of it. However, I'm also the one who can stop him. A Fuinjutsu expert is required for this mission. My father going there and being noticed is entirely on purpose."

"He has business to finish." I nodded at Hinata's deduction.

"He's a massive threat. Yes, he's luring us there, but it is also the best shot we have to stop him. If he is there anyway, he must have had the authorization of his superiors so apart from Hoshigaki Kisame, no other Akatsuki members should be there."

"Hoshigaki Kisame is still troublesome though."

"That he is." I grinned at them and pulled a scroll from my pouch. "That is why I picked the three of you!"

"I was curious about the choice of this team actually," Neji admitted. "Although I have some explanations I think."

"Go ahead."

"Hinata-sama and I both have the Byakugan but with very different range. While she can look out for anything far away, I can focus on the smallest detail on a closer range. You've also trained Hinata-sama long ago to break seals, knowing we are going to an Uzumaki location, there will be lots of those." I grinned, my pointy teeth grazing my bottom lip.

"Yep, you got that right. You Neji, are also a jounin, so a mind like yours will be useful to face them." I turned to Shikamaru. "What about Shikamaru then?" The Nara yawned as Neji and Hinata both looked at him.

"He's smart." Shikamaru looked vaguely annoyed.

"You could try harder."

"Of course, but I think it's the main reason. We're going against highly dangerous individuals and once Akane-san has showed us what's inside this scroll, I'm sure it will be your job to come up with several strategies based on our skills and their skills."

"What he said," I added with a nod. He sighed, tilting his head back.

"What a drag."

"And in any case, you do not engage my father if I'm not here. You run."

I explained details I had written down thanks to oji-chan.

I had chosen to be the third one to be on watch, the worst spot in my opinion. You were sleepy from sleeping for a few hours in a row, had to be completely alert immediately and you went back to sleep for little time.

Hence why I had chosen this one for myself.

"You're sick, you need all the rest you can get so just sleep Itachi," I told him angrily, Hoshigaki-san minding his own business. Itachi just glared at me in a rare show of emotions.

"And I am telling you I am fine and can be the second watch."

"So can I, and if you're such a great shinobi then you'll be better than me at waking up and immediately spring into action!" He frowned but didn't reply.

"Hn," he said after a few seconds, laying down, his back to me, on the ground.

I smiled faintly in the night at the memory. It had been one of the few times I had been right.

When it was almost time for me to wake Shikamaru up, I frowned and stood up. There was an annoying chakra nearby, not bothering to hide himself. I made a Shadow Clone and followed the lead I had.

It wasn't far.

Obito was sitting on a roof of a relatively still good building, not moving. He didn't have his coat.

I jumped behind him.

"To what do I owe this honor when I am going to meet with one of your own?"

"This village used to prosper," he replied casually. I scoffed.

"Tell me, why did you think my father was a good choice for your little plan?" He tensed. "He's a wild card, it was a risky move to choose him. Now you regret it, don't you?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you've had your eyes on me for some reasons yet haven't tried anything right now. My dad became a hindrance and you want me to get rid of him for you."

"You certainly know how to run your mouth."

"I just think it's funny how you thought you could be the big bad guy, manipulate things in the dark yet make a mistake like this one. You'd think you'd know better with oji-chan and Kakashi recognizing his skills." He froze visibly and I looked at him coldly. "I don't know if it was intentional or not, but your little speech in Kiri left little room to guess your identity Obito. I'm sure Dad knows who you are as well." He remained silent for a couple of seconds.

"You're both annoying," he grumbled, his voice different. It was more hoarse, younger.

"...did you practice to do different voices?" He raised his hand to his mask and removed it.

We...were supposed to be enemies, right?

"Tobi's voice can be painful after a while," he said as if we were having a casual conversation. I found myself chuckling in spite of myself. Tobi's voice was so ridiculously high, it was no surprise it would be painful. "He's going to try again Akane." I pursed my lips. I never thought I'd ever hear Obito saying my name again, or just talking to him again.

"I know." His hand reached out to my wrist in the blink of an eye and he turned his head to me.

The right half of his face was heavily scarred, giving the impression it was heavily wrinkled. His left eye was closed, but he didn't have his sharingan activated.

"You're gonna die," he told me seriously.

"I'm aware." He frowned. "Fubuki saved me back then, but ultimately I guess I was supposed to meet my end there. It will just be decades later." I yanked my limb away from his grasp. "But you still won't stop me, because we may be enemies, my father is a thorn in both our sides if he succeeds." His arm fell back by his side. "You will lose Obito, even if I'm no longer here to see it." I teleported back to my group.

His chakra disappeared.

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