My next chapter up for the purge. I hope you like it.

Lonski

Chapter four.

Missing.

It had been some months since she had been tricked into the task of becoming a Sensei. She didn't like to admit it openly but she was becoming quite attached to them. They were a pretty good team together, they had their problems like the boys preferred to work together and it left Anko to pair with herself but she didn't mind. The girl was a more then capable fighter so that fact didn't pull down their teamwork overall. She counted herself lucky that this was her only real problem; Minato had many more difficulties with his own. The son of the late Hatake Sakumo frequently tore apart his teams dynamic and was causing a rift between each person in the team. Minato however, ever the optimist believed that one day, everything would fall into place. That Kakashi would see his own flaws and work hard to change.

She drifted into the restaurant stall with her hands shoved deep inside her pockets; Kushina barley heard a voice quip to her,

"Better stop doing that, someone might get hurt."

Kushina slipped into a stool beside him as she remained in her own little world of thoughts, "Huh?"

Minato smiled and added, "Thinking and you never go well together. Something chaotic always happens. So what's on your mind?" He asked lightly, a tone of seriousness ran through his smile. His blonde spiky hair waved gently in the warm late afternoon breeze.

She smacked him on the arm and Minato struggled to pretend that it didn't hurt as she scowled, "Hey whattaya mean 'someone might get hurt' if I think? I come up with good ideas whenever I think, don't forget who you're talking to now eh?" She prodded him in the arm with each word.

Minato gasped and pretended to be overwhelmed by her presence, "My god, I forgot who I was speaking with. My apologise for my ungracious words Kushina-Hime I-"

Kushina suddenly looked at him darkly and snapped, "Stop that."

"Minato looked at her with a confused expression, "Kushina?"

After a moment, she cleared her throat awkwardly as she tried to ignore his questioning eyes, "I... just don't like you using titles like that. I've always been just 'Kushina' to you and you've always been 'Minato' to me. No matter what, yeah?"

Minato brightened a little and asked, "Even if you're a fancy special ops member?"

"Even when I become the first female Hokage." Kushina added smugly.

Minato laughed and nodded in assent.

The Third had managed to persuade the council to allow the Elite group to be made on a trial basis well ahead of time. It had only been a few months since she had pitched the idea to him and there was still a lot of time before the exams arrived. He had allowed the idea to be trailed with a small selection of both the Chūnin and the Jōnin who slotted in the specialist category. Things were going so well that the old man had managed to get her from being an ordinary member of the group to having a more active role in running the organisation. She wasn't in charge yet, some creepy guy called Ibiki Morino had been given the role as the main overseer. She did not know him very well but so far he seemed to be doing a good job and that was enough for her.

"Good to know you're humble as ever Kushina." Minato commented to break the thoughtful silence between them both.

Kushina smirked and shot back, "Well I have to be confident coz I have you as my rival," Kushina admitted as she raised the Sake cup to her lips, "coz you're like what, the third choice for the place. There's pervy Jiraiya and then Tsunade and then you." Minato opened his mouth to interject and she continued with her voice a little louder, "I mean, honestly it's only a matter of time before the Third bows out. I know we only really joke about this... but I know you want the position as much as me. And you've got a much bigger chance in getting the place. More people listen to you, you've got this vision for what Konoha can do and be. I said I wanted to be Hokage as a kid because I wanted to get attention and maybe respect. I'm far more serious about it now but... As you said way back when, 'You really shouldn't become Hokage if the only reason is to make a point like that.' And –"Minato tried to interrupt her again by grasping her arm, "No – listen!" She urged him looking at him directly in the eyes, "I have my specialist team. It's gonna be a flying success. It's already going great in the guinea pig phase. I'm doing all that I can to invoke change, so maybe you're the one who should lead it." She paused but Minato was speechless. Kushina then added with a small smile, "Besides, your face would look better up there on that ol' piece of rock then my stupid tomato head. I can make them look under the underneath the underneath without becoming Hokage."

Kushina pulled a smug smile but it wavered slightly as she admitted, "Well I have to be with you as my main rival." She raised her Sake cup to her lips before she continued, "Coz you're like, what? The Third choice for the place. The only other people who are an option would be Jiraiya and Tsunade."

Minato made to open his mouth to interject but Kushina cut him off with a sharp look and she continued with her voice slightly louder.

"After that it's you. You're the best option in my view because you're more with the times then the other three oldies. You're powerful and respected and yeah, your lack of oldieness may seem a disadvantage compared to the other's experience but we're at peace. There's time for you to learn what needs to be done and how. And lets face it, the Third's gonna bow out in like... the next couple of years. He's done his job and bloody well at that. I know we joke about it and everything but I know you want this as much, if not even more then me. I said I wanted to be Hokage as a kid because I wanted people to notice and respect me. I'm far more serious about my ambition now and I want it for many more reasons but... as you aid way back when... 'You really shouldn't become Hokage if the only reason is to make a point like that.' But you said it because you wanted change and become a great Hokage for everyone so they would come to respect you for what you accomplish. And – "

Minato set down his own cup a little harder then he usually would and looked at her in the eye to say something but Kushina cut him off again.

"No – listen!" She urged him as he made an irritated growl through his teeth and she continued as she grasped his arm firmly. "I have my specialist division. And even though it's at the Guinea pig phase still, it's a wild success. It gonna be historic when it's allowed to work for every rank in a few month's time. I'm not being arrogant when I say that either. Heck, even Nara was impressed! I've turned a few heads and maybe I'll change a few minds once its working on full throttle. But right now, I'm happy with what I've done. I've invoked some change into this archaic system, so maybe its up to you to lead it towards something completely different and better." She stopped to let her words pass through his mind.

Minato was speechless. What could he say to that? He had noticed her being more and more withdrawn into her thoughts with each day. It had worried him because he thought there was something wrong. So was this what she had been thinking about all of this time?

"'Sides, you're face would look a lot better then my chubby old mug. And they'd run out of rock to do my hair." She said with a self-effacing laugh as she pulled at her long scarlet locks. "I can... make them see beneath the rock... Look underneath the underneath without being Hokage." She admitted finally to him as she let her hair drop back to fall over her left eye.

Minato raised his hand to rest on her hand which still clung to his arm and hesitated it away before he said, "Kushina... You don't really mean that-"

"No I'm not giving up on my dream." She said with a little too much insistence, "I'm just sayin that yanno, if you're the one who beats me to it then I'm not gonna hold it against you. But if its someone else, I'll be the one to beat them – WITH MY FISTS!" She said as she shook her free hand in a threatening manner to him. She then realised where her left hand rested as she pulled it away quickly.

"I won't let anything change anything between us. You're... one of my most important people and I wouldn't change you, or loose your friendship for the world. Even if you drive me mad most of the time." He admitted with a wide grin.

Kushina had not missed his pauses, her instinct told her something was amiss with what he said, she just didn't know what it was. "Yeah." She replied after a moment.

A slightly awkward silence shrouded over them as they finished their drinks. Kushina reached for the water used to dilute the Sake and poured herself a glass as she had a niggling feeling that she needed to sober up. She could think what it was since it was late afternoon already.

"SHITE!" Kushina suddenly yelled as realisation flooded her mind, "Two hours late? How could that have been two hours?" The red-head exclaimed as she looked at the sun for the time and leapt to her feet to gather her things.

Minato remained confused as he tried to relax after being scared half to death by her yells. "What-" He began and then his eyes widened as he realised what it was, "Training the kids. You better run!"

Minato remained confused and watched her silently as she panicked and ran around to gather her belongings, when suddenly he realised what it was, "I think I'm beginning to understand how Obito manages to be as late as you. Remind me never to let you stay around him much. I don't want you both swapping tips on how to forget important things." He scolded as he chuckled at the thought of his scatterbrained student. "You better run." He advised with a smile.

"I am running!" Kushina yelled at him as he tried to zip her flack jacket on when it was inside out. "Oh shhh- Will you get this, I'll get the next one I swear!" Kushina called at him as she began to leave as she zipped her jacket the right way.

"That'll be the fifth in the row but hey... I'm used to it." He added evilly and watched the slight tinge of guilt wash over her face.

"I'll make it up to you, I swear!" She promised as she turned away from him, "See ya kiss-ass!" And with a wave and a sprint, she vanished.

Her hair had caught the late afternoon sun; he still stood by his words when he said it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

The warmth and light of the day had faded as brooding clouds drifted over the sun. Minato wondered if it would rain as he looked up to the sky, just in time for a drop of rain to land in his eye.

"Ugh... Try that again Kahashi." Minato commanded as he blinked furiously. He did not need to watch to know that his student had already begun the technique even before he had been told. The blonde felt his hair had begun to lightly stand up to make his hair even wilder. His scalp tingled and he reached to scratch it and instantly regretted doing so when his hand was numbed when it snapped back at him.

His other two students had gone their separate ways; Rin had gone to train with the resident medical specialist Tsunade and upon realising that it would just be himself and Kakashi, Obito had suddenly remembered he had an important training session with his family. It as probably one of the most convincing lies Obito had told.

So, it was just the two of them in the middle of a muddy field due to get even more waterlogged after the rain started up properly. The blonde Jōnin tried not to take it personally whenever this happened. According to Rin; Obito and Kakashi had a record breaking fight the day before. So, with a mission due for the start of next week, Minato had decided to let them be and cool off before them. It was always a difficult decision whether he should get involved or not, they were both smart enough to see their own faults so he hoped that once day, they might just mature enough to admit it to each other.

A bolt of white light shot from Kakashi's fingertips as he focused on controlling the energy he had summoned into a sphere but it all suddenly became too much to handle. The energy exploded and skittered across his arm and knocked the boy from his feet.

"Damn it!" The usually reserved silver haired boy spat as he picked himself up painfully.

Minato rubbed the back of his neck a he thought, "Maybe we're trying to work out this technique from the wrong angle." He offered a pained smile as he understood the boys' frustration. He himself was struggling with his own original technique; the Rasengan. It is a swirl of Chakra energy imprisoned in a shell of more energy. He wanted to eventually power the technique more by adding the wind element to it but even trying to control the ball of energy proved to be too much to handle currently. "Okay, lets just go over what we know so far and –"

Minato was suddenly stopped when a blur of red, orange and black came into view and nearly knocked him over.

"Kushina wha-"

She clung to his shoulders in a painful grip and shook at him when she spluttered, "Tell me you've seen her? This can be the only place we haven't searched yet. TELL ME YOU'VE SEEN HER!"

Baffled but suddenly panicked when he saw her eyes had become glazed with unshed tears, "Who?"

"Its Anko – I'm so bloody fecking stupid.!"

He gripped her arms now with shock, "She's hurt? Where –"

"I dunno, she's been missing four hours, we've looked everywhere. I –" She looked down with mixed emotions written on her face, "I'm always late for everything. Worse then Obito."

"Not possible." Kakashi interjected coldly, Minato shot him a look and turned back to Kushina.

"She prolly got bored of me and gone off to train herself but... I just can't find her. No one can. She's no where from the village. Tell me you've seen her, please."

Minato raked his brain but could not remember seeing her at all on the training fields. He had been here all day and had a clear view of most of the surroundings. "No." The blonde Jōnin replied simply, instantly regretting it.

Kushina's grip slackened and her arms fell bonelessly to her sides. "Oh." She answered as her voice barely audible.

Minato struggled to find something optimistic to say, "Kushina, I-" But he stopped just as an equally pale Izumo dropped into view, "ANBU were dispatched when I contacted the Hokage. I waited for their returning report. It's not good. She's missing from the entire village Sensei."

"Eyewitnesses?" Minato asked, there was still hope of tracking her.

"I... Don't know but Hagane went to ask as I left, I wanted to get here as soon as-" He stopped as Kushina's hand landed on his shoulder.

"Thanks kid."

"Alright." The boy understood the unspoken command and launched himself away to return to the Hokage tower as fast as he could.

"Wait for Hagane. Get a trail and find her."Kushina muttered more to herself then either one of them but Kakahai replied.

"The likelihood of her leaving the Village of her own violation is slim. " The child-genius analysed, "she is intelligent enough not to wander alone from the Village for fear of being attacked or worse even if the reason for her to want to leave out of some childish plea of attention." Kushina made a small sound of pain and Minato walked towards the boy to try and ask him to stop but the boy continued, "And so the most probable explanation for her disappearance is either she was tricked or taken by someone within the Village by someone she trusted."

"Trusts!" Hagane hissed his correction to the boy. His dark spiked hair shook madly in the air as he regained his balance near to the other three. "And what do you know anyway genius? Maybe she did leave the Village herself. She can take down pretty much anyone and defiantly scum like yo-"

"Hagane..." Kushina turned to the boy."

"Right." Despite his usually unruly behaviour the boy would always attempt to follow decorum and work his hardest in front of Anko. It would have been adorable to watch him defend the girl if times were not so grim, "Last eye witness was an old – a middle aged woman tending to her husband's grave in the cemetery. This morning, a few hours before we were due to meet to train. The witness claims that Anko was looking at her parent's gravestones for some time before she turned and left the place. No other witnesses have been found as of yet. ANBU are continuing their search with that witness with that new information in mind. Izumo said he's gonna hole up at the Hokage's office until the next report arrives."

Minato was impressed at the sheer professionalism of the rebellious boy, if he was the boys' age and in the same situation, he would have lost it a long time ago.

"Right." Kushina shut her eyes as she calculated what her next move should be, "So we've got a window of time to fill of about twelve hours, give or take." She looked at Minato who nodded, "She's being looked for within the Village walls and so a radius search should be our next port of call. "Hagane, call ahead to the Hokage, tell him that I want my division on his room ASAP!"

She had regained some confidence that Anko could be found, it made Hagane smile as he nodded, "Got it!" and he leapt to disappear in the trees which divided the Training grounds from the Village.

The rest of the Jōnin rank had heard of what had happened and every single available Shinobi arrived on the roof. Kushina marched across the thin line of free space on the roof and said as she paced, "I want you to all divide into teams of three or four. I want at least one medic, one tracker and a front man. If it is a team of four then I want a complementarily skilled fighter to provide support. Keep radio contact as often as you can, report your location and your team's status. Report any sightings of foreign ninja across our border. You have permission to question them and ask why they are there; do not attack them in anyway without any proof. Got that?"

"Ma'hm!" A chorus of voices shot back to her.

"Good. Go then!"

A sudden flurry of movement rushed around her and the men and woman disappeared from the flat rooftop beneath the Hokage Mountain.

Minato moves to stand beside her and murmured, "You think it was the Village Hidden in Clouds?" His voice was low enough for her to hear him alone, he thought he wanted to keep it to herself otherwise she would have mentioned it.

He thought right and she wordlessly nodded, "They took me when I was young. They want powerful Ninja with unique powers. Everyone knows about Anko's ability as a Shinobi. Heck, even Orochimaru wants to do the unthinkable and wanted to tear himself from the shadows to train her personally."

Minato looked surprised and muttered, "I never knew that. Why didn't you –"

"-Because I didn't ever want it to happen. She was doing fine in the team she was in. I wanted her to be a specialist..."

"Sensei?" Hagane asked her from somewhere behind the two adults.

Minato turned to Hagane and Izumo and then to his own team just as Kushina looked to hers and thought with a pang, she should be stood by them.

Her voice shook noticeably as she said, "Right, let's go!" Kushina called as she flicked her radio on.

Author's notes.

I would like to thank:

Deora, Midorchi, Hinata Uzumaki-sama, myth buster, Kris-san, Moodiful819, Kushia, ixi-shaz, Irish12345, Shtuff, mouseter, Rosepadfoot, Godspellfan, Heidi Sonnenburg and necklace.

And everyone else who had read, messaged me, favourite me and this story and has continued to read and be interested. Thank you.

Lonski.