While in an unconscious state Kioko began to dream. She was walking through the village and she noticed how all of the people around her gave her looks, showing their distaste. Kioko felt tears flow down her cheeks, wondering why people like herself had such hatred for her. She wondered into the woods after quickly seeing a vision of her older brother and as she did Kioko encountered a small pack of wild wolves. Of course being at the age she was in the dream, she had become completely terrified from the site.
The wolves started to approach her with a posture of aggressiveness. Kioko slowly began to back up from the treating pack but that didn't help the situation. The wolves continued their pursuit. The young Kioko backed up until a large crack stood in her path. She let out some of her chakra and the wolves seemed to respond to it. As a result they began to settle down, and stop their pursuit. Before Kioko was able to approach the now calm wolves, some of the rocks gave way and she began to fall, into the deep chasm.
In shock Kioko snapped out of the dream, breathing rather heavily in the hospital bed. She raised her hand to her forehead and rubbed it a little to relieve the light pain she was feeling at the moment. Kioko took a deep breath and looked out the window that was next to her bed. 'What is going on with me," she wondered as she stared out into the village.
Just then, Kioko could hear the sound of the door siding across the floor. She peered over and saw the three Genin entering followed by their Sensei. "Hey look, Kioko-chan has come to," Naruto announced as entered.
Kakashi walked past his students and took a set near his old friend, disturbed by the expression written across her face. "Kioko, do you remember anything at all?"
Kioko nodded slightly, "I believe so, and I just had a startling dream. People around me were giving me looks of disgust, and to make it stranger, they were members of my own clan." As Sasuke heard this his eyes widened slightly, wondering why that would happen. From what he remembered his older sister was much like Itachi, a prodigy at a young age. It didn't make any sense for them to hate her. "Soon I found myself in the woods and I encountered a pack of wolves and the strangest thing happened, I was able to stop their attack on me, but I don't know how," she continued her explanation.
Kakashi listened to every word that she said and began to think about the images she was describing. To him it sounded like one of the earlier experiences she had in her life time and knowing this, it gave him a sense of hope. "It seems in your dreams; you are able to awaken some of your suppressed memories. Don't you worry, we will be able to uncover them soon enough, and this is part of the reason I have come by."
The older Uchiha looked over at Kakashi with a look of confusion. "What are you talking about Kakashi? Do you mean to tell me you figured out a way to restore my memories?"
"Actually I think I have. We know now that Orochimaru was the one who took away your memories, so Lord Hokage has given us the mission to track him down and if possible restore your memories. It was thanks to the Anbu that we now have information we need to find him. Furthermore, you have been asked to accompany us on this mission."
Kioko smiled at the thought. "Going on a mission with you, it's just like the old days. This sounds like fun. When do we head off?"
Kakashi laughed slightly as he saw the excitement in her eyes. "Woah, now, we aren't going anywhere until the doctors give you clearance." He leaded over and flicked her forehead. "Just take it easy Kioko and rest for a while."
A slight annoyed growl came from her throat. She rubbed her forehead and gave him a dirty look. After a few moments the two of them just laughed. Suddenly the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them. The two Jounin looked over in the direction of the door and they saw Lord Hokage standing there. "Excuse the interruption but I would like to talk to Kioko privately for a few moments."
Kakashi nodded as he herded his squad outside. Naruto complained the whole time but went outside regardless. The old Hokage walked over to Kioko's bedside and took a seat. He looked at her with a warm smile across his face, "I know this must be difficult for you but I felt it necessary to speak with you before you regain your memories. I'm aware that in your past you had experienced many hardships both at home and in the village. I also am aware that these experiences hurt you a great deal emotionally. As Hokage I feel it's my duty to apologize to you for all that is happened. When you regain your memories, it's my desire that you will choose to remain here in the village. However, I also understand that may not be possible given your past, so if you do decide you don't want to live in the village any longer I will not stop you from leaving. Truly, I want you to realize that things have changed and that you are part of the Konoha family and all of your friends, old and new want only one thing, for you to be happy."
Tears swelled up in the Uchiha's eyes as she listened to the Hokage's speech. The old man embraced her and from that single action she could feel something. At that moment she didn't know what it was but it made her soul easy. "Thank you Lord Hokage."
The Hokage pulled back and gave her another warm smile. "You're most welcome Kioko. As Hokage, I want for my people to be happy and that's what I wish for you as well. I truly hope that this mission helps you regain your memories and you can finally find the path you want to follow." With these words, the old man stood up and walked outside to allow her guests to spend some time with her.
The silence of the hospital was disturbed as Naruto's voice could be heard in the hallway. Kioko thought back to some of the memories she had of the Fourth Hokage and it made her laugh listening to Naruto. She stood up from the bed and walked out into the hall where she was greeted by squad seven. "You feel better Kioko-san?" Sakura asked as her gaze became fixed on her.
Kioko smiled and nodded in response, "I'm feeling much better now, thank you." She looked around and noticed that Kakashi was no longer with them. "Where did Kakashi run off too now?"
"Kakashi-sensei was called away by one of the doctors for some reason, but never mind that… would you care to have some ramen with me?," Naruto questions.
Sakura looked over at Naruto with protest. "Naruto, you know that Kioko can't be wondering around right now. The doctors didn't give her the clear yet. What if…" Before Sakura could finish what she was saying Kioko held out her arm in front of her, in a way telling Sakura she didn't have to worry. Sakura was also surprised by this, seeing that she and Sasuke acted very much the same around her when it came to things of this nature.
"I'd be happy to go with you Naruto. I haven't had ramen from Konoha in a long time, and I was looking forward to sampling some when I felt better." Naruto looked all excited when he heard that she had excepted his invitation. He then happily marched off to the shop. Kioko laughed as she followed close behind, dragging Sasuke by the arm.
Sakura sighed heavily as surrendered and ended up following the three of them to the shop. At the same time Kakashi was talking to one of the doctors about Kioko. "Sorry to have to call you out like that Kakashi, but being that Sasuke is so young I couldn't tell him about these things. You are one of Kioko's only closest friend that has remained in the village, so I saw it fit that you be informed." Kakashi stood there with his arms crossed, listening vigilantly. "Go on."
"Well psychologically she has received some damaged but it appears to be temporary for the most part. It seems that a good deal of her memories can be awakened with experiencing something from her past over or at least something close to it. In a dream state she is capable of witnessing some of them. It's in my opinion that Kioko's own will has allowed her to regain parts of her memory, which in turn weakened the affects of Orochimaru's jutsu," The doctor explained.
Kakashi nodded, "Understood. It looks like things aren't as serious as we first thought."
The medical ninja sighed, "However, in regards to her chakra, that has proven not to be as affected as her memories. It's known most of her powers came from the more negative experiences that she suffered as a small child. A good deal of those powers won't return as fast as we may like, and that includes her Sharingan. There is however good news. I've monitored her progress and it seems there has been an increase in her chakra flow, so that indicates to me she's getting closer to a recovery, but until then watch her closely. At this moment she is unaware of the greatness of her own abilities and the slightest even could set that off, if that would happen…."
Kakashi nodded again, "I'm aware of the dangerous powers she possesses. Since she and Naruto are very similar I know the stakes and I will be observant of any change like that."
Naruto and the others have made there way to the Ramen shop and were enjoying large bowls of the house best. Sasuke and Sakura were eating their bowls slowly while Naruto and Kioko were eating theirs rather quickly. The peace around them was shattered by the screams of women and children in the area. The four ninja busted out of their seats and rushed outside, looking for the disturbance. As the arrived on the scene, they saw a few people hurt from bite wounds that looked like they came from dogs.
Sakura rushed over to assist the wounded people. As Naruto and Sasuke were helping another group of people, they tried to get some information from them. "Hey old man, what happened here?" Naruto questioned.
The man turned to Naruto, cringing slightly as Sasuke bandaged his wound tightly. "Wolves, they came out of no where and attacked us…"
Naruto blinked, "Wolves?" Sasuke looked over at his sister and noticed she was standing there, appearing like she was concentrating on the energy around them. Naruto looked over at Kioko, confused what was going on. Just then, Kioko's eyes snapped open as she took off in search for them in the village. Naruto and Sasuke followed her, leaving Sakura to tend to the injured.
Kioko came to a sliding stop as she came upon the attacking wolves. As she tried to approach them they became increasingly aggressive. Naruto's body was shaking slightly as he called out to Kioko, telling her to be careful. Then Naruto prepared to use his shadow clone jutsu to fight off the attacking animals but before he even had a chance, Kioko began to walk toward them. "Kioko-chan what are you doing?!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke watched as his sister began to gather chakra around her. Naruto began to rush toward her but before he could go anywhere, Sasuke grabbed his arm and held him back. He growled at Sasuke, "Let me go Sasuke… don't you care what happens to your sister!?"
"Quiet baka, just wait and watch. She knows what she is doing." Sasuke hissed at him as he turned his attention back at her. Kioko continued on her path toward the pack that seemed indifferent to her display of chakra. As this whole thing was going on, Kakashi stood on top of a building. He too understood what she was trying to do.
Kioko then increased the flow of chakra around her and then crouched down in front of them. Naruto began to get increasing nervous, seeing that she was totally open to an attack. Suddenly, the unexpected happened, the wolves began to respond to her and seemed to become more docile. Kioko was then safely able to approach the wolves and give them something to eat without any problems.
Naruto looked at Sasuke, "but how?"
Sasuke smiled, "My sister is a wolf tamer, Naruto. You know how you use frogs in battle, wolves are my sister's weapons. She can control several packs at once and use their power to her advantage." The younger Uchiha looked at Kioko with a proud look on his face. 'It's good to see you're getting back to normal sister.'
Kakashi continued to watch them carefully. "It's begun, the Kioko everyone once feared as begun to rediscover herself. Now it is possible to restore Kioko to her old self and take care of an old threat to Konoha."
To be continued….