Title: Lucky

Author: Fenikkusu Ai

Rating: T

Fandom: Naruto

Characters: Kabuto, Orochimaru, Sasuke, Ibiki, OC

Words: 1,790

Genre: Suspense/Hurt/Comfort

Summary: What had Misaki done to be locked away? The man with the glasses wouldn't tell her, the sullen youth doesn't want to get involved, and the man with the sweep of dark hair sent chills down her spine. Amnesia. Kabuto x OC x Orochimaru.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Misaki had just finished her lunch, but Anko insistently placed another plate in front of her. It scraped against the table

"Cake?" Misaki peered down at it

"Today is a special day." Anko's grin was wide.

Misaki was dumbfounded. "It is? Why?"

Had she forgotten something again? It wasn't near Christmas as it was only early December.

"Congratulations. You've served your probation. It's been what? Six weeks?"

Of course, Anko would only give the reins of Misaki's "rehabilitation" to someone else. Without Tsunade's and Anko's intervention, Misaki knew that she would still be in a correctional facility where she would be dolefully breaking rocks with sweat dripping into her eyes.

She wondered if anyone would have even visited her. Most likely not even her own uncle. However, Misaki was technically a criminal. She was a Sound spy. Of her own volition or not.

Quickly, Misaki decided to eat the sweetness of the cake before the bitterness lurking inside her took over.

"Of course you're not a Genin yet, but I still feel like you need to fast forward. It will be hard for you to advance without experience in a squad, especially at your age."

The fork clattered to the floor. "I'm joining a squad?"

No. It was too soon for her. She hadn't even earned a Hidden Leaf headband...

"You're catching on faster, Misaki That mind destruction justu must have completely dissolved," Anko observed. "Anyway, you will be the temporary replacement for Uchiha Sasuke. Your "team mates" will be Naruto and Sakura."

Sakura-chan.

"It's temporary, of course. Nothing official. It's practice for a real team of your own."

Slowly, the reason why this was happening so quickly dawned on her. She could think easier and more accurately without the mental jutsu clouding her mind. At times, she didn't know if it was a good thing.

"This is only because of my name, isn't it?"

Misaki, of course, meant her surname instead of her first. She was a Morino before a "beautiful blossom." "Misaki" had been her mother's choice of name.

Anko stuck her lip out. "Don't be skeptical, Misaki."

"But... I'm a criminal. What use am I on a team?" It was a logical question.

"Was a criminal. So was I when I was young and stupid, but look at me now. Anko gestured at herself in her Tokubetsu coat. "Evolution, Misaki. Learn to evolve."

"So, I'll be taking on missions?"

Misaki was aware that she could die. She hoped that the others wouldn't feed her more than she could chew.

"Nothing major. What we're looking for is some fighting experience. And maybe camaraderie between team mates. That's why you're reporting to Hatake Kakashi tomorrow morning bright and early."

Misaki remembered that she had spoken to Kakashi briefly outside of Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto had been there as well.

She realized that there was no room for complaints. Misaki bent down and picked up her fork.

"Should I get you a clean one?" Anko asked.

Misaki was already eating. In truth, she just wanted to be alone and devour what Anko had told her.

At 7:15 the next morning, she was walking to a remote office at the Academy. Without an escort. She wondered if the Leaf truly trusted her or if they just wanted to see what she would do next.

As she walked through the familiar corridors, the memories of that night took hold. The night that had been her undoing. It was uncomfortable for Misaki even to be here.

At last the designated the door loomed in front of her. Sucking in a breath, Misaki opened the door set down his paperback book.

Kakashi waved his hand. "Hullo, Misaki."

All she wanted to do was retreat back to Anko's quiet apartment and turn on the television with her books by her side and spend the morning in comfort in her independent study.

"Hello," she timidly replied.

"Well, come on in. You're Squad Seven's temporary new member, right?"

Misaki knew that she was probably invading. All she wanted to step into a place that felt like home, but Anko's apartment was as close as it came.

"I guess." She slid into an available chair.

"Though I will admit that you're far too weak to be joining any squad." Kakashi's eyes narrowed at her.

Misaki ducked her head. "I know."

Kakashi splayed his fingers at her. "So, you're honest, that's good. A good character trait."

Kakashi probably was aware that she was a spy for the Otogakure and that he could send her right back to prison if he wished.

"Kakashi..." she started.

"Kakashi-sensei," he corrected.

ibiki was her sensei, but he would no longer claim her as a student. She could only take what others offered her.

Suddenly, the question was out of her mouth. "Kakashi-sensei, why do you always hide you face?"

Kakashi was silent a moment.

Misaki froze. Had she offended him?

"Well, this is part of the reason..."

Kakashi pulled down the black cloth hiding his left eye and found the Sharingan staring at her.

Misaki was startled. It was the same red glow. Misaki quickly averted her gaze, so that she wouldn't lose herself in the Sharingan again.

"You're an Uchiha?"

Kakashi was vaguely nonplussed. "Well, no. Not even on my mother's side however the Sharingan can be implanted, and this eye was a final gift from Uchiha Obito. His only gift. I don't believe her ever really liked me."

The question was too bold, and Misaki's cheeks flamed as bright as a summer sky. One day, Misaki would ask the wrong one.

"What happened to him?"

"He was crushed by a boulder during a mission." Kakashi looked away.

Misaki hadn't expected that.

"I'm sorry."

So, Obito was dead. Another Uchiha dead and gone and yet another suspect crossed out. Misaki would always wonder who had taken Kabuto's form and had pressed herself against the wall and kissed her. Who was the one who watched her from afar?

In any event, Obito's death had happened too long time ago to be a threat now.

Now, one sole question lingered in Misaki's mind; she dared to ask it. Kakashi had been answering her questions so far.

"Why was I released from prison?"

Misaki's voice was a tentative bird attempting to fly.

Kakashi considered. "Hmm. Mainly because of Tsunade. After all, you were captured and manipulated by Orochimaru. Now, that the threat of Orochimaru is gone, what good would it do to let you rot in jail, right?"

Misaki couldn't tell if he was smiling or not.

"But, of course, if there is evidence of any more spying, you'll be locked away with the key thrown away. Are we clear?"

Misaki nodded her head vigorously. "Yes."

This Shinobi had the power to send her exactly back to the place where she didn't want to be. Misaki knew that she had to tread lightly. She had to be as delicate as one would press flowers into a book.

Well, Misaki's spying days were over. Konoha didn't have to worry. She was not obligated to engage in that business any more.

"Finally, I think the pleasantries are done. A ninja should always be ready to fight. Will you please allow me to escort you to a training room?"

Misaki didn't want this, but she had no choice but to comply. What was wrong with her? She was a kunoichi after all. It was no different than what everyone else did.

Misaki was unprepared when Kakashi started the first round, and she was against the corner in seconds.

"Read my movements," he urged her. "Come on. You have to have more fight than that."

Not even a minute later, Misaki stumbled. He wasn't even using chakra.

"Look for an openings. Any of them."

Kakashi's fist loomed nearby. He was using Taijutsu, Misaki's greatest weakness.

Anko had often said that. And still, Misaki faltered. She was simply too old. She should have been sparring when she had been five years old.

Again, Kakashi kicked out, but this time Misaki blocked it so that Kakashi's flow of motion was disturbed. If Misaki had more power, she could have started a counter attack.

"Good, Misaki. But, the battle isn't over yet."

Suddenly, Kakashi lunged at her. Misaki's response was automatic. It was a jutsu she hadn't used in a while.

"Earth Style: Hidden Lily!"

The vivid purple petals enveloped her like an old friend.

Kakashi blinked before he stopped attacking.

"That's a unique jutsu, but how about an actual jutsu? I can still see you. You're...kind of bright."

"Which jutsu?"

Kakashi seemed embarrassed for her. "Something basic. Like the Cloak of Invisibility Jutsu."

Misaki had honestly forgotten it. Well, if that's what Kakashi wanted to see...

"Kakuremino no Jutsu!"

Misaki knew that she had disappeared. Still, Kakashi knew where she was. She waited.

"Reveal yourself, please. It makes it easier. I like to see a face when I'm talking to someone, you know."

Misaki did so. She would have rated her participation a 3.5 out of 10.

"You have the speed, and you have some defense," Kakashi observed. "As for raw attack power..."

Misakai trembled at his judgment.

"Well, it doesn't matter. You can support your comrades from the back or provide a distraction. Of course, you will only fight when you're ready...if you're lucky."

Had Misaki passed? Whatever the case, Misaki still had a lot to improve upon.

"Now, you should meet your team mates. They're waiting outside."

On the academy grounds, Misaki was surprised by their faces.

"I'm so proud!" Sakura cried.

"Yeah, it's great. You're on Squad Seven!" Naruto beamed at her. "The best squad there is."

Misaki wasn't sure of what she felt, so she said nothing.

"Misaki should go on a mission right away!" Naruto declared.

Sakura smiled gently at her. "Pets go missing all the time Maybe you should see if you could find any. It would make someone happy, and you would complete a mission."

Misaki gave a fake smile. "Okay."

This was too fast. Misaki had just rediscovered who she was.

Still, Misaki knew was at the bottom of the ladder, but before, there had been no ladder at all. This was better, right?

At the moment, she didn't know how high she could reach or how long she could climb it.

Time was moving quickly, but it was on Kabuto's side

His scent flooded the forest. He was near. Almost right in front of him, but obviously, he didn't feel like revealing himself at this moment.

I've been looking everywhere for you," Kabuto's voice was teasing ."You enjoy making it hard."

This Tobi, no Madara, was no longer wearing his garish orange mask when he stepped forward. He chuckled.

"Good tracking, boy."