The next day, we traveled back to our home village. It was an uneventful trip thankfully and we reached the village gate around sundown.

"You think we should report to the Hokage first?" Toku asked.

I nodded. There was something I needed to ask our leader anyway.

When we reached the Hokage's office, a servant led us to the leader's quarters.

"You three are back, I see." Lady Tsunade spoke, looking up from her papers.

We bowed in response.

"M'Lady, we'd like to report that the mission to escort Mr. Moriyama to his home village was successful." I informed.

The elder nodded. "Very good. Now get some rest. I expect you're tired."

Toku walked out first, then Kiba and Akumaru. I turned back to face the Hokage.

"Is there something you want, Tama?" Lady Tsunade questioned.

I bit my lip. "I-I'd like to make a request."

Lady Tsunade waited for me to continue.

"I want all the information you have on my father, and a man named Nagashi Tamagashi."

The Hokage's eyes grew in size and her face frowned at my request. "That's an awfully strange request. What brought this on?"

I sighed. "When we were escorting Mr. Moriyama, Kiba and I were attacked by a guy named Nagashi Tamagashi. I-I ended up killing him."

Lady Tsunade looked shocked.

"I had no choice. He hurt Kiba, and he was about to kill me." I told her, trying not to relive the memories.

"I see. And what does all this have to do with your father?"

"He knew my name, knew I had a sister, and knew my father died a year ago. He said he-he said he killed him." I finished.

Lady Tsunade was quiet for a while.

"Ma'am, I just want to know how this man knew my father and why he killed him. It'd give me peace of mind." I persuaded.

The Hokage sighed and looked at me. "Alright. I'll see what I can find."

"Thank you." I bowed, thanking the village leader. "Oh and when do I begin my Anbu training?"

I was determined to find out why Tamagashi killed my father, AND I wanted to become an Anbu Black Ops member.

"You sure you still want to go through with it? Do you even know the kinda of training you'll have to go through? It'll make all the training you've had up to this point look like child's play."

"I don't give a damn about any of that!" I yelled fiercely.

The Hokage was surprised by my outburst.

"I apologize M'Lady. But I've wanted to become an Anbu member since I was a child. If my father and mother could do it, I know I can."

Lady Tsunade actually smirked. "You've got fire in your eyes kid. You'll need it when you start training. I"ll be sending someone tomorrow morning to pick you up. I hope for your sake you'll be ready."

I felt myself smile. "Thank you M'Lady. I will be."

I decided to visit my kid sister on the way back to Tsume-Sensei's house.

Without much effort, I jumped up to the window and knocked. In moments, Seiko was there unlocking it.

"Trying to lock me out, eh?" I teased.

"Uryu-Sensei caught me sneaking out...more than once, so she locks the window with a key." My sister stated non-chalantly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Then how the hell'd you-"

She grinned evily while holding up a key. "I did learn from the best after all."

I groaned and flopped on her bed. "I've created a monster."

Seiko chuckled and flopped down beside me. "Rough mission?"

I nodded.

"Well since you're back, can we do something? You did promise we would after all." the young girl asked.

I sighed. "Sure kid. You pick."

She went silent as she began plotting what kind of trouble we'd be getting into.

"I've got it!" She suddenly yelled.

I looked at her, waiting for an answer.

"Well, I've been wanting...a nose piercing."

I watched as she peeked her eyes from behind her bangs.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Pleaseeee Tama, pleaseee." She began begging.

I laughed. "Alright, but I will in no way be responsible for any hell Uryu gives you when you get it done."

She smiled and hugged me tight. "I'm happy you're back."

I returned the hug and burried my face in her hair.

"You look like a dork." I teased Seiko as we walked back to her team captain's home.

"Do not! I love it!" She insisted. "And besides, at least I'm not covered in tattoos, you ink freak!" She shot back.

"Hay, there's nothing wrong with my tattoos." I defended.

Seiko laughed and suddenly spun around to face me. "Can we get some ramen? I'm hungry."

"Sure, but we'll get it to go. I've got to get up early tomorrow." I told her as we walked up to the ramen stand.

"Why?"

I sighed. "You remember what I told you, about Anbu?"

She nodded and looked away. "You start training tomorrow?"

I grunted in response. "Lady Tsunade's sending someone for me. I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I'll even make it back."

"Don't say that! You'll come back. I know you will."

We took our food from the ramen stand and walked back to Seiko's house.

"Seiko I'm not always gonna be around. I very well could die. I want to know that if something did happen to me, you'd be alright." I pressed.

"Nothing's gonna happen to you!" She shouted with tears pricking her eyes.

"Hay, hay, don't start crying." I cooed, hugging her.

"Can-can you stay the night?" She asked, looking at me with glistening eyes.

I thought for a moment. "Sure kid, but I'll have to leave early tomorrow morning."