Elders Makes Their Move
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; however I do own Akemi, Yukiko, Zero and Rukia. And the Shīringu is mine and mine alone!
Summary: "When I died and came into the Naruto universe, I didn't think that I would be able to change much. I also thought that if I told anyone that they wouldn't believe me and I definitely didn't think that I could get a Kekkei Genkai either. But I was wrong on all accounts and I could not be happier." SEQUEL!
I had planned to post this chapter on Christmas as a present to all you guys but I got behind schedule… sorry!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and here's to a better New Year!
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
It had been three days since I had spoken to Rukia and Nora had been avoiding me since then. I had tried to talk to her that night, but she blocked me, leaving me angry and frustrated. Nora never blocked me when I wanted to talk to her. I only ever had this problem when I was travelling with Yukiko, not knowing that she was actually trying to sever my ties with my Guardian Angel.
On the third night of trying to get in contact with Nora, she finally graced me with her presence.
I opened my eyes on the third night, expecting just a normal dream that I wouldn't remember when I wake up; I had given up on Nora coming to see me in my dreams. But to my surprise, I was welcomed to the familiar blindingly white room. Nora stood in front of me with an unsure expression on her face. Her body language screamed uncertainty and for an unknown reason this made my anger spike.
Nora clears her throat. "Hello Jane-"
"What did she mean?" I demand immediately. I wasn't beating around the bush with this, I needed an answer and Nora seemed to be the only person who could give this to me.
Nora bit her lip.
I narrow my eyes at her. "Nora, what did Rukia mean when she said that my death wasn't an accident?" I demand once more, putting more force into my tone than before.
Her body seemed to deflate in defeat. "It means exactly that." Nora tells me in a low tone, her head slightly bowed.
My body stills and my breathe catches in my throat. This would mean that my death wasn't an accident like Nora had said when I first died. Nora told me that I wasn't meant to die, it was an accident. But why was I killed then? Why would anyone subject anyone else to dying? Even to this day I still get nightmares of when that man strangled me to death.
"When a baby is born, their future is already decided for them." Nora explains to me, the uneasy expression still on her face.
"Was my future always to come to this world?" I ask her almost desperately. I was silently hoping that the answer would be yes, but my hopes would soon be dashed.
Nora shakes her head.
My fists clench, "Explain." I hiss at her, trying to stop myself from lashing out as my anger was rising. I had never been angry with Nora before, at least not to this extent. Nora was always able to calm me down and make me feel happy, but not today.
Nora swallows lightly before answering me. "Jane, the reason you were picked was because of the qualities you have. You're stubborn, smart, and grounded. All these traits are needed to become a champion."
"So am I just a source of entertainment for you?!" I shout, feeling my anger explode. Nora had told me that other angel's had been watching me, it was like I was a show for them to watch, not an actual person. I was just entertainment.
Nora's eyes widen. "No! It's not like that!"
"Then what is it?!" I yell back at her, my fists clenching at my side.
Nora fell silent, unable to answer me.
My fists began to shake in anger along with the rest of me. "Why was I killed?" I ask quietly, trying to reign in my anger.
Nora bit her lip lightly. "I'm sorry Jane."
I shake my head, ignoring what she said. "Why was I killed?!" I shout forcefully.
Lowering her head, Nora began to speak. "Angel's live for eternity. Once in heaven we soon became bored and weary of our time there and many ended up falling to the dark side. To stop us becoming bored, some were given a job to watch over humans who have died. However, over time Angels began to become bored again and this time they decided to turn being a Guardian Angel into a sport so the human we guarded would become our champions. Soon Angels began to compete with one another through our champions. However, the game became less popular when Michael killed one of my champions." Nora says, her voice low and she wouldn't meet my eyes at all.
I take a few calming breathes. "How are champions selected?" I ask when I was feeling calmer.
Nora kept her head bowed so her eyes wouldn't meet mine. "We look into their future and if we think they have the necessary qualities, and when we find them, we…." Nora stops near the end, her voice fading away.
"Kill them off." I hiss at her, finishing what she was saying.
Nora never replied, but her silence was all the confirmation I needed.
I shake my head. "Why do this to me?" I ask her.
Nora looks up this time. "Jane, you weren't the only candidate."
This makes my temper spike even more. "Excuse me?"
"When I was looking for my next champion, I managed to get it down to two people; you and someone else." Nora admits to me.
I clench my fists. "Well why didn't you pick them?!" I shout in anger. I know this was selfish, I wouldn't wish death on anyway, but I couldn't help myself.
"You were the only person to get this far Jane! Anyone else would have either given up or died in the forest of death. I have had a few champions and none of them have made it as far as you." Nora tells me, adoration in her eyes.
"In case you're forgetting, I did die!" I yell back at her. I had actually died in the Forest of Death when Orochimaru bit me and gave me the curse mark. I shouldn't have been able to come back, but it was allowed.
Nora flinches and falls silent again.
I close my eyes, trying to stop my anger spiking again but I was finding it very difficult. "When were you going to tell me?" I ask, my voice just above a whisper.
Biting her lip, Nora refused to answer.
"Tell me!" I demanded, my voice raising.
Nora raises her head. "I'm sorry Jane."
I shake my head. The anger was gone, instead all I could feel was hurt, similar to when I found out that Yukiko had betrayed me. I had thought very highly of Nora, I looked up to her. But she had taken me away from my family: my mum, my dad, my younger brother. I could have stayed alive, I could have been with them. I didn't have to go through being killed by that taxi driver. I wouldn't have been getting nightmares were I remember his hands wrapped around my throat and my lungs burning because I couldn't breathe.
Nora tried to reach out for me, but I took a step back.
Hurt shines in Nora's eyes. "Jane…"
I shake my head. "Just leave me alone."
Panic flashes in Nora's eyes.
"Just for a few days. I need to think." I tell Nora, smiling at her weakly. I wasn't completely angry with Nora, just very confused and sad.
Nora stares at me for a moment, hope in her eyes.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Itachi was in the kitchen of Akemi, Haku and Naruto's house. Since he and Akemi were the only capable cooks in the house, he was the one doing the cooking since Akemi was currently still in bed. Naruto had wanted to wake her up, but Haku was adamant that no one was to wake his younger sister up. Itachi looked into the living room as he was cooking, he had a fond look in his eyes. Sasuke and Naruto were arguing like always. Haku was helping to set out the table while also looking amused at the argument between the two. The only person missing from this picturesque scene was Akemi.
Itachi was worried for her.
Akemi was overworking herself, everybody could all see that but they knew they couldn't say anything. If they did, it could push Akemi even further. Itachi knew and understood that this was her way of coping with Yukiko's betrayal. He himself had faced many horrors and he found that training took his mind off the monsters in his head. Itachi knew that his younger brother was especially worried. Sasuke had been keeping a closer eye on Akemi, making sure that she didn't push herself too far. When Sasuke had originally seen that Akemi was pushing herself, he wanted to confront her and help her. It was Itachi that had to tell him not to.
Though it wasn't known to many, Uchihas were very protective of their loved ones. They would protect their loved ones until their dying breathe. The oldest Uchiha wasn't blind; he could see that Sasuke was infatuated with Akemi. It was obvious to him; the way Sasuke was always glancing at Akemi, the way he always worried about her and how he would rush to her rescue if Akemi ever needed it. Akemi was one of the very few people who could get past Sasuke's iron wall around his heart and earned a place there.
The older Uchiha looked up when he felt Akemi's chakra signature rouse; she was awake. Haku also looked up, Akemi's room was right above the kitchen. Everyone waited for Akemi to come down, but she never did. Something was wrong, her chakra signature seemed… off. Itachi felt her chakra signature leave the house through the window in her room and she began to run away from the house.
Haku stood up, ready to go after his sister, but someone beat him to it.
Sasuke was already out the door in seconds, leaving Naruto bewildered and the argument unresolved.
"What the hell teme?!" Naruto yelled after him. But it was no use, Sasuke was already long gone and on Akemi's tail.
Haku walks over to Itachi. "Do you think she's okay?" Haku asks with a concerned look on his face.
Itachi nods his head. "Don't worry, Sasuke's with her."
A dark look flickered in Haku's eyes. "If he tries anything, he's dead." Haku hisses under his breathe.
Itachi smirks. "So you noticed too?"
Haku scoffed, but there was amusement in his eyes. "It's kind of hard not to notice. He's practically all over her."
"I don't think Sasuke ever imagined himself chasing after a girl." Itachi comments feeling amused. Sasuke had always been a bright child who was polite to people he didn't know, but if he didn't like you he would tell you straight to your face. He was always a cute kid and that gained him a lot of fangirls even in his early years. Sasuke had never needed to chase after someone in his life because they always chased him. However, that was until Sasuke met Akemi. Akemi didn't chase after Sasuke like his fangirls and that intrigued him, and now Sasuke was the one doing the chasing after Akemi.
Itachi found the whole situation rather ironic.
Haku grins. "Though they would make a nice couple." Even if he was reluctant to admit it, he couldn't help but notice that Akemi and Sasuke did suite each other.
Itachi sends his friend a look. Haku was much known for being overprotective over Akemi and here he was saying how Sasuke and Akemi would make a cute couple. Akemi had a few admirers but Haku had chased them all away as soon as he heard about them. No one was good enough for his younger sister in his eyes.
Itachi places a hand over his mouth to hide the smile on his face.
Naruto decided to make his presence know. "Is Akemi-chan okay?" Naruto asks with a concerned expression on his face.
Haku smiles at him. "She'll be okay."
Itachi smirked. "Especially since Sasuke's now with her."
Haku and Itachi both looked at each other shared a mischievous look.
Naruto was looking at the two with a confused expression for a moment. He didn't understand what they were talking about.
Chuckling at his clueless expression, Haku turns to Naruto. "Sasuke likes Akemi." Haku says, a big grin on his face.
Naruto's eyes widen. "WHAT?!"
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Sasuke tracked Akemi to the outskirts of Konoha, near a waterfall that had long since been abandoned by Yukiko ever since her betrayal of the village. When Sasuke saw the familiar house, he felt his face morph into a sneer and he felt angry. He had let Akemi go off with that woman, a traitor. The fact he never spotted the signs sooner ignited an anger in him that was only reserved for the worst of people: Danzo, Orochimaru and now Yukiko. Danzo had ordered to have his family massacred and Itachi was made to carry out the heinous act and leave the village in exile, being forced to lie to everyone that he killed his family to test his skills. Sasuke hated Orochimaru because he was nearly made a slave and then he went after Akemi. However, he hated Yukiko because of how much she had hurt Akemi. He may not hate the woman as much as Danzo, but she really was coming in close.
Sasuke knew that Akemi was trying to hide her hurt. Akemi never showed when she was hurting because she didn't want to come across as a burden; she thought she could handle it. Akemi was sleeping less, she was eating less and she wasn't as happy. No matter how much she tried to deny it, Yukiko had played a big part in her life. Sasuke had wanted to reach out; help her heal. Sasuke wanted to kill Yukiko, make her feel the pain that she had inflicted on Akemi. Seeing someone you love in pain is horrible; seeing them fall part is devastating, especially if you can't do anything to help them.
When Sasuke felt her chakra signature wake that morning; he could immediately tell that something was wrong. The fact that Akemi fled the house without greeting anyone was another big sign that something was wrong.
But this time, Sasuke was going to help her, even if she didn't want it.
Akemi was sitting at the ledge of the lake to the waterfall. The sounds of crashing water was soothing, but at the same time it reminded her of Yukiko's betrayal. It still hurt, but being betrayed by Nora was the last thing she needed. Akemi felt like someone was pushing her, testing her and her limits. There was only so much betrayal she could take before she snapped. Akemi couldn't stay in the house knowing she'd have to go downstairs and face everyone and pretend to be okay. Akemi didn't know how long she could do it.
That's why she fled, she had to get away before she felt suffocated.
Akemi didn't want anyone to follow her, and the fact she felt Sasuke's chakra signature right behind her annoyed her.
"Go away Sasuke." Akemi says, looking at the reflection of the crystal blue water.
Akemi heard Sasuke's footsteps from the crunching sound of the grass and then saw his reflection in the water. Akemi knew that he was making noise for her sake, he was able to sneak up on anyone without making a sound. He was looking at the water just like she was, but he was looking at her reflection.
Turning her head, Akemi looks to Sasuke. "Go away, please." She quietly pleads. She didn't want to deal with anyone at the moment, she just wanted to be left alone.
Sasuke looks her right in the eyes. "No."
Akemi felt her eye twitch. Why did her teammate have to be so infuriating at the worst of times? Sighing roughly, she turns her head away from the Uchiha and looks back at her reflection, staring at it intently while also trying to ignore Sasuke.
Sasuke sat down gracefully in silence. He never said anything, just sat and stared at the water just like Akemi was.
Akemi was starting to feel uncomfortable with the silence, it was a slightly tense silence because of the fact she didn't want him there and Sasuke wasn't listening to her.
Having enough of the silence, Akemi decided to break it.
"How did you forgive Itachi?" Akemi asks suddenly.
Sasuke looks up at her, Akemi was still looking into the water and not at him. He looks back at the water before sighing. "It was hard. Even after knowing why and how it happened, he did still kill my parents and my clan."
Akemi looks to him. "Did you feel confused?"
Sasuke nods his head. "Very. For years I had this goal to kill him and make him pay. All these years I hated him, wanted him dead because of what he did. Then, suddenly it changed when I found out the truth." When Sasuke had first read the file that contained the truth behind his Clan's massacre, he was in denial. He had the strong belief that Itachi had killed his family just for the sake of it, not knowing the more sinister truth. But, the younger Uchiha had been feeling a bit of hope that his brother was in fact innocent and that he wouldn't be alone anymore.
Akemi nods her head, taking all this in.
"But how did you forgive him?" Akemi asks again.
Sasuke purses his lips together before answering. "After I and Itachi went back to the Uchiha compound, we had a long talk. We talked things through, had a fight and then… everything was okay." A small smile makes its way onto his face.
The smiles falls when he looks to Akemi. "You aren't thinking about forgiving Yukiko, are you?" If Akemi forgave Yukiko, Sasuke knew that he would never be able to. She had done too much to Akemi to be forgiven.
Akemi shakes her head and laughs bitterly. "That's something I think is never going to happen."
"Then who is it?" Sasuke asks.
Turning her body to face Sasuke, Akemi begins to speak. "Do you remember when I said that I had a Guardian Angel?" Akemi asks.
Sasuke sends her a suspicious look but nods his head anyway. Even after everything, Sasuke didn't believe that there was an Angel; even if there was no other explanation.
"Well it turns out that I was being used by her too. I was just some pawn in a game." Akemi says sneering towards the end in bitterness.
Sasuke didn't say anything, he knew that was Akemi needed to do was to rant. She had been holding in her bitter feelings far too long.
Akemi looks up to the sky with glossy eyes. "I had a family: a mother, father and a little brother. Before coming here I had a life. But that was ripped away when I was killed. It turns out I was killed on purpose, so I could come into this world. Even though I was given a choice, I think that was tampered with too; it had to be." Akemi could remember how she felt compelled to choose the Naruto-universe, and now she was beginning to wonder if she ever really had a choice to begin with.
Sasuke was silent for a moment. "Do you regret coming here?" He asks lowly.
Her eyes widen, "No!" Akemi answers immediately. "I've never regretted it, even after Yukiko. I've made some amazing friends here and met amazing people. It's just… I would have like to say goodbye." Akemi whispers the last part as tears stream down her face.
Hearing the crack in her voice, Sasuke grabs her by the shoulders and pulls her closer to him. Akemi cried into his shoulder, her shoulders shaking at the intense emotion she was feeling. Sasuke brings up his hand and softly strokes her hair, trying to sooth her while his other arm was wrapped firmly around her waist. He remembered his mother doing this to him when he young and he hoped it would work on Akemi. Seeing Akemi cry made his chest hurt and he felt uncomfortable; whoever this Angel was, he wanted to make them pay.
For once in her life, Akemi was stuck and confused. For years, Akemi always knew what she was doing, even when Zero came into the picture and even back in her own world. Nora had always been in her life, Akemi had always depended on her. Nora was the one who brought her into this world and gave her powers; she was almost like a mother. But now, Akemi had never felt this lost before.
Akemi was the first to pull away, suddenly feeling embarrassed that she was this close to Sasuke. Her cheeks burned a bright pink shade, but she kept her head low so Sasuke couldn't see them. "Thank you." She whispers lowly so only Sasuke could hear.
Sasuke felt his own face burn slightly. "No problem." He mutters, looking anywhere else but at her.
Sitting up straight, Akemi smiles slightly. "If it's okay, I really would like to be alone."
This time, Sasuke looks at Akemi, seeing if she really was okay. Nodding his head silently, Sasuke got up and walked away, looking at Akemi one last time before disappearing back to her, Haku and Naruto's house.
Now alone Akemi sighs and relaxes. She was thankful to Sasuke, she really did need a shoulder to cry on, and now she felt better. The past couple of days hadn't been the greatest. Akemi was being watched by the Elder's minions and Tsunade was pushing her even harder for more answers on possible outcomes of the battle, and Akemi couldn't give her anything. Akemi only knew one time line, and she had destroyed that the minute she joined Team Seven. Akemi often wondered, what would have happened if Sarutobi hadn't had her placed in Team Seven? Would she still be this close to Naruto and Sasuke? Would Haku even be here? Would she have been able to get Itachi to stay?
Akemi was about to lie down on the grass and look at the clouds, something she knew Shikamaru would be proud of her for. But then she felt something.
Multiple chakras all surrounding her.
"Nakahara Akemi." A voice says, announcing his presence.
Akemi makes an effort not to look alarmed, even if she was on the inside. She looks in the direction of where the voice came from; she sees a man in ANBU gear standing a few feet away from her. "What?" Akemi asks rather bluntly. He wasn't part of Itachi's team, which she could tell by the way he spoke so formally to her. Itachi's team always treat her like one of them, which Itachi would sometimes be irritated by.
"The Elders would like to speak with you." The ANBU says in a voice void of any emotion.
Akemi pretended as though she never heard him and continued to watch the clouds.
The ANBU seemed a little annoyed at being ignored. "Nakahara Akemi-"
"No." Akemi cuts in.
The ANBU seemed taken aback by what she said. "E-excuse me?" He asks, a little stutter in his voice.
This time, Akemi did look at the ANBU member. "Tell the Elders that I do not wish to speak with them. If they want to see me, then tell them to make an appointment with me." She says in a nonchalant tone.
The ANBU's hand twitches, he didn't find this amusing to say the least. "If you refuse to co-operate, we will have no other option but to use force." He says, his voice giving her a silent warning not to disobey him.
Akemi didn't miss that he used 'we'. She could feel multiple chakras from at least eight other ANBU members. ANBU were all skilled, and very deadly. Akemi doubted that she could take on all eight of them, and even if she could, they would call for back-up; making it very difficult for her. If they were anything like Itachi's team, she wasn't going to win easily, or at all.
"There will be no need for violence." Said another voice, an older woman's voice.
Both the ANBU and Akemi look in the direction of were the new voice came from. However, Akemi couldn't see who it was, all she could see was two dark silhouettes walking towards them. She didn't have to wait long though. Within moments, the shadows came into the light, revealing them as Homura and Koharu, the village Elders.
The ANBU immediately bowed to them. "Elders, I am sorry-"
Koharu raises her hand, indicting for him to stop, which he did. "We knew that she would be difficult, so we came ourselves." Koharu says, looking directly at Akemi as she said this.
Akemi rolls her eyes.
Homura waves his hand. "Now go."
The ANBU nods his head. "Of course." With that, he and the seven other hidden ANBU members were gone and Akemi couldn't feel their chakra anymore.
Akemi looks to the Elders. "To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you two?" She asks with a tone of sarcasm that was only Akemi's. Besides Tsunade and Naruto, Akemi was the only other person who would speak rudely to the Elders. If it wasn't for Sasuke's impeccable Uchiha manners, he would have swung for both Elders with Itachi not to far behind.
Homura answers her, seeming to ignore her sarcastic bite. "We're here to ask you some questions, that's all." He says looking as calm as ever.
Akemi arches an eyebrow at them. "They wouldn't happen to be about Yukiko, would they?" They wouldn't be here for anything else, if Akemi hadn't been Yukiko's apprentice then she wouldn't even be getting this lovely visit.
"You were her apprentice for three years. Tell me child, did she ever seem odd at times?" Koharu asks in a patronising tone, sending a pointed look to the younger girl.
Akemi's eye twitched at being called a child. "You were friends were Danzo and you didn't notice anything." Akemi comments back at the older woman with subtle venom in her tone. She didn't need to add what Danzo had done, everyone knew about the atrocious acts that he had committed. Having an entire Clan massacred, mutilating hundreds of bodies, experimenting on children with Orochimaru and trying to assassinate the Third Hokage.
Homura sends her a pointed glare. "That is not what we're asking."
"Then what are you asking?" Akemi asks in a blank tone. She just wanted this 'interrogation' to be over so she could be left in peace.
"We find it odd that you were her apprentice for three years and you never once noticed anything." Homura says in a leading tone. He was insinuating something but he never actually said the words out loud. That was because if he did, he would be accusing Akemi and that would be a very serious accusation.
Akemi stands up, not liking how they were trying to intimidate her. "Let's not beat around the bush eh? What you're trying to ask, is if I'm in cohorts with Yukiko?" Akemi says, an annoyed look on her face.
Homura nods his head.
"Well sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a traitor." Akemi says with a blank expression. On the inside however she was livid. Being accused of being a traitor angered her, but Akemi knew if she lost her cool it would look bad on her.
"You must have known something." Koharu insists.
Akemi sighs in annoyance. "Yukiko was a secretive person. She liked to keep herself to herself. Just because I spent three years with the woman doesn't mean I know anything about her at all." Yukiko never once revealed anything about herself on the three year break. Akemi and Haku would try to get to know her, but she would repel anything they did. Now Akemi knew why; Yukiko was working for the Akatsuki the whole time.
"Some would find that very hard to believe." Homura says with a judging stare.
Akemi gives them a hard stare. "I have nothing to contribute to this conversation so I'm leaving." Akemi says, turning around to walk away. However, she didn't get very far before an ANBU member appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Koharu says, a little smirk on her face.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
It didn't take long for Sasuke to appear back to Akemi, Naruto and Haku's house. When he walked through the door, Itachi was already setting out the morning's meal. It looked like he had left, but this time, Haku and Naruto were chatting quite animatedly in the corner.
Itachi spots his brother. "How is she?" He asks
At the sound of Itachi speaking, Haku and Naruto look up. "Where's Akemi?" Haku asks with a worried expression when he doesn't see her.
Sasuke shakes his head. "She'd like some time on her own."
Haku bit his lip and looked outside. He wanted to go and comfort his little sister, even if they weren't blood related. Akemi had done so much for him, but he knew that this was her way with coping with things.
A sly grin made its way onto Naruto's face. "And nothing else happened, eh?" He asks, getting close to Sasuke and nudging him in the side.
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a confused and annoyed look, but then he saw all the sly looks from Itachi, Haku and Naruto combined. Sasuke blushed as he sent Naruto a deadly look when the realisation came to him.
Seeing the realisation in his eyes, Naruto laughs. "You like Akemi! You like Akemi!" Naruto sings with a smug look on his face.
The blush on Sasuke's face grew darker. "Shut up!" Sasuke yelled at him.
When Naruto pulled a face at him, Sasuke drew out his sword but he was interrupted when there was a knock on the door.
Haku smiles at the two and goes to answer the door. Opening the door, it revealed that Tsunade was the one standing there.
"Tsunade-sama?" Haku says with a confused voice, "What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for Akemi, she never turned up to teach her morning lessons." Tsunade says, scanning the room and seeing that the only girl wasn't there.
Haku let Tsunade into the house and she sat down on one of the couches in the living room. Everyone else joined her, Haku and Naruto sitting on another couch and Sasuke sitting on the arm of the chair. Itachi was still in the kitchen, though he could hear everything that was going on.
"Akemi…. Isn't going through a good patch." Haku admits with a slight wince.
Tsunade sends him a curious look. "How so?"
"She ran out the house this morning. When she woke up, I noticed that her chakra signature was quite unstable." Itachi says, looking as serious as always.
Naruto nods his head, "Sasuke went after her, but she said that she needed some time to herself."
Tsunade looks to the youngest Uchiha. "How did she seem?" She asks.
"Stressed." Sasuke answers.
Sighing, Tsunade looks down guiltily. "I think that I may have contributed to that." Tsunade admits.
Haku looks at her. "What do you mean?"
Tsunade raises her head and looks at everyone in the room. "I've been pushing Akemi recently. With her training and about information regarding the war. I've been asking for more and more information, hoping that there could be a flaw in Madara's plan… and the last time Akemi snapped at me."
Naruto, Itachi, Sasuke and Haku all share a look. That did not sound like Akemi at all. She didn't snap at people like that, especially not Tsunade since Akemi holds so much respect for the woman. Haku was especially worried, his imouto's patience could only bend so far before she snaps, but usually it's never come to that.
Sasuke kept quiet. He knew the other reason why Akemi was so stressed. But after speaking to her, he decided that it was best that he didn't say anything. If Akemi didn't tell anyone besides him, that would mean she didn't want people to know, and he certainly wasn't going to tell anyone. But he did agree with Tsunade, by her putting stress on Akemi it was all going to build up eventually.
"The Elders have also been lurking around which makes me nervous." Tsunade admits, running a hand through her hair. The Elders were running on Tsunade's last nerve; just recently she caught them interrogating ANBU members and going to vicious lengths to try and get answers out of them. They were exerting too much power that Tsunade wasn't happy with.
Itachi frowns. "We need to make sure that the Elders don't get Akemi."
Tsunade nods her head. "I know. But I don't know how long they're going to wait before they confront her."
"They're not known for being very patient." Sasuke comments.
Tsunade nods her head, agreeing with him. "If any of you see Akemi, send her my way." Tsunade stands up and leaves the house with a sigh.
She began walking back to the Hokage Tower feeling guilty. Tsunade had known Akemi was feeling pressured and Tsunade never once stopped and realised that maybe this time Akemi doesn't have all the answers.
Tsunade stopped walking when an ANBU suddenly appeared before her. The ANBU bowed her head, "The Elders have made contact with Nakahara Akemi." She says before she disappears in a cloud of smoke.
Tsunade cursed loudly before running off to find Akemi.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
I turn back around. "Is this really necessary?" I ask giving them an exasperated look.
"You've been acting strange." Homura comments.
I roll my eyes. "We're preparing for war, of course people are going to act differently." I had seen the difference in people in the village. Everyone is slightly tense, the older generation especially since they remember the last war they were involved in.
"We've been watching you Akemi, for quite some time." Koharu says with a straight face.
I send them a look, trying to make sure no panic was evident on my face. Just how long exactly had they been watching me? The very thought that I hadn't even noticed was nerve racking, just how much do the Elders know about me?
Homura folds his arms. "We took notice that Sarutobi took special interest in you. That was only confirmed when he gave you his summoning, Enma. You seemed to spend more time with him than most of his special ANBU, who also seem to be sworn to secrecy." He sends a suspicious look at me at the end. He had personally interviewed Sarutobi's ANBU and came up with nothing. No matter what he did, the ANBU wouldn't talk.
At this, I was not surprised. I had known that even when I thought I was alone with the Third Hokage, I wasn't really. He had special ANBU with him at all time; he was much protected from any threat. I had known that the Third had sworn his ANBU to secrecy to protect my secret, especially from the Elders which I was thankful for.
"He was helping me to settle in. I had come from Suna after my parents had died in the Ninetails attack, not like it's any of your business." I say, relaying the cover story I and the Third Hokage had gone through together. However, it seemed foreign for me to say this. I hadn't had to lie to people about my origins in a while because they knew my secret and the other people never questioned it.
"Yet we cannot contact these 'relatives' in Suna of which you speak of. I've also noticed how you've never attempted to visit them ever since you came here or them to you." Koharu points out.
I kept my facial expression schooled and my body relaxed. I couldn't give away anything that could incriminate myself. "Did you ever think that we just didn't get along?" I suggest with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Or that maybe they aren't real." Koharu insists.
Still, I never gave away any indication that Koharu was telling the truth.
"You've also been getting quite friendly with Tsunade-sama." Homura comments, staring at me intently, waiting for me to slip-up somehow.
I send him a glare. "Not that it's any of your business." I say, my face morphing into a sneer.
Koharu looks to Homura. "This doesn't seem to be getting anywhere."
Homura nods his head and motions towards the ANBU standing behind me.
I grab my Sais, ready to try and fight off as many ANBUs as I could. I may not be able to take them all on, but I wasn't going down without a fight. I turn around to the ANBU behind me, blocking a kunai being thrown at me with my Sais. I was about to jump towards the ANBU when a voice stopped me.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
I and the ANBU stopped. Turning my head, I see Tsunade standing there with a very unhappy look on her face.
"Tsunade-sama." The ANBU says as he bows.
"We were just having a friendly chat." Homura says casually. Though he did look annoyed at Tsunade's presence, even if he kept that hidden.
Tsunade looks over to me and sees that I had my Sais drawn and there with multiple kunai on the floor. Tsunade could also sense the multiple ANBU members hidden away in the trees. "Do not lie to me, Homura." Tsunade says with a scarily calm expression on her face.
"It was an interrogation. They think I'm in league with Yukiko." I say, sending a glare in the Elders direction for the accusation.
Tsunade sends the Elders a look. "Oh?" Tsunade already knew this, but she needed to play along for now.
"She's manipulating you, can't you see?" Koharu exclaims, sending a venomous glare my way.
I smile at her tauntingly.
Tsunade crosses her arms. "How is Akemi manipulating me? Are you suggesting that a Chunin could manipulate me?" There was a silent warning in her tone, it was not to test her.
The Elders caught this warning clear as day but they continued anyway. "She's constantly in your office and she always seems to be sneaking around. You don't even spend that much time with your actually apprentice." Homura comments.
Tsunade sends them a look. "Do you want to know why Akemi spends so much time with me?" Tsunade asks, a smirk on her face.
The smirk seemed to make the Elders nervous. "Please enlighten us." Koharu says, trying to act confident.
Tsunade looks at Koharu with a hard look. "I was going to wait until later to announce this, but I guess now is okay. The reason why Akemi spends so much time with me is because she is my second apprentice." She says, placing her hands on her hips.
My eyes widen at what she said. I stare at Tsunade in shock, though she looked to be confident.
"What?" Homura asks, his eye wide too.
Tsunade smirks slightly. "Akemi has shown promise, which is why I've taken her under my wing. Now, if that's all then I guess you two can be on your way." She makes a motion for them to go, the confident look still in place.
The Elders exchange a glance before walking away, with the ANBU disappearing as they were no longer needed. Koharu did however look back and send me one last dirty look before disappearing completely.
When the area was clear and it was just myself and Tsunade, I look to her. "Tsunade…" I mutter, still in a bit of shock.
Tsunade looks to me. "Yes?"
"W-why did you just do that? Why did you just lie?" I ask feeling very confused. Tsunade did a very big thing and in a sense just become my alibi. Now if I was ever accused of anything, Tsunade was going too pulled into the mix.
Tsunade smiles softly. "Well I didn't really lie, you are my apprentice technically. I'm your mentor. Besides, the shocked look on their faces was a killer." Tsunade laughs at the end, remembering the shocked faces at her announcement.
I almost wished I could have seen the looks on the Elder's faces, but I had been too busy staring at Tsunade in shock to notice their shock.
"And at least this way, they can't ask you questions without going through me." Tsunade adds in with a thoughtful look.
Smiling, I couldn't help but relax. Before Tsunade had rescued me, the Elders were beginning to ask questions that were too personal for my liking. They were looking at the plot holes of my 'background' with a fine tooth comb. The Elders could never know the truth, who knows what they would do with that information if they were to ever find out the truth.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
That same day, Tsunade had summoned all the other Kages for a meeting to gather the information each nation had pulled together. The unhappiest Kage there was the Raikage though. As much as Ay would hate to admit it, his ninja were unable to gather any useful information. He didn't want to ask the other nations for help, but even Ay realised that this was a time of war and they needed to rely on one another.
All five Kages sat at a table in Konoha along with Mifune. All Kages had someone with them, standing behind them like a guard.
Tsunade looked round the table. "You all came early, I'm glad." She says, a serious expression on her face.
"The situation demands urgency." Gaara says, with his void of any emotion.
Mifune cuts in. "Let's end the greetings and get on with the meeting. First, we need to discuss the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi and the Hachibi. Then, we'll move in to the data we have on the enemy's base of operation and military strength." He says, drawing everyone's attention to the main issue.
"My people have located what seems to be the enemy's base of operations. However, it could be a trap; we need to gather more Intel." Tsunade says with caution in her tone. Anko and her team had followed the trail of bodies and found a cave. Having a member of the Hyuuga Clan using Byakugan, they were able to see Obito, who people still thought was Madara, and Yukiko was there also.
Ay speaks up. "We have also organised search teams and are gathering information." Though his team had come up with nothing, he would rather not voice that.
"I think it would be best if we pool the information that each Village gathers." Tsunade suggests looking at all the other Kages to see of anyone disagreed with her.
Ay nods his head, liking the idea.
"Then, let's appoint an allies team to deal with organising the information." Mei says.
"I agree." Ōnoki says, "There must be no withholding of information."
Ay rolls his eyes. "Obviously. If each nation starts to focus on their own benefit, the Akatsuki will easily gain the upper hand."
Mei looks to Ay. "I believe that Raikage-sama should be in charge of that department." She suggest. Mei knew that people still didn't trust her village due to the Akatsuki actually being formed there and the fact it was very corrupt before she became Mizukage.
Tsunade nods her head. "Agreed."
Ay grins. "I accept then."
"So where will we hide the Jinchuuriki?" Gaara asks looking around the room for suggestions.
Ōnoki's face twitches with obvious displeasure.
Mei picks up on this. "Is there a problem, Tsuchikage-sama?" She asks, drawing attention to the oldest Kage in the room.
"If you have a problem, say it old man." Tsunade comments with a silent command in her tone.
Ōnoki's face visibly showed that he was unhappy with the decision. "Both the Jinchuuriki are great military strengths. I don't think we should hide them but instead use them."
Tsunade nods her head. "I understand where you are coming from. But Naruto and Bee and the Akatsuki's targets. We need to play it safe and not allow them into battle." Tsunade had to hide her smile. She could just image if Naruto heard her now, he would throw a fit and demand to put into this war. Keeping them hidden however was temporary. There was no way that Naruto would stay away from the war for long, and quite frankly it would be useful to have his strength in the war. However, this had been agreed by the Kages and she couldn't go against it; she'd let Naruto do the rebelling.
Still, Ōnoki doesn't look happy. "Madara is our enemy. If we hold back our military strengths and lose our opportunity to obtain victory as a result, we won't get another chance." His arm hits the armrest of his chair in frustration that no one was agreeing with him.
"The war is about the Five Great Nations joining forces to protect those two. No Kage can decide this on their own. We will decide by majority vote." Gaara says, sending a look to Ōnoki. Gaara would rather Naruto not be in the fight; Naruto was known for being reckless in a fight to help protect his friends.
Mifune sighs silently. "Military strength aside, if the Five Kages cannot agree with each other, we stand no hope of winning."
Ōnoki relents, though only slightly. "Fine," He says, bowing his head in defeat.
Ay nods his head. "Now we'll decide where to hide the Hachibi and Kyuubi, I hope there aren't any objections?" Ay says, looking in Ōnoki's direction.
"Get on with it." Ōnoki says, an annoyed expression on his face.
"I've found a place to hide them, if that's alright with you. It's a very special place." Ay asks Tsunade, seeing that she was the Hokage of the only other Jinchuuriki.
Tsunade nods her head. "It's fine." Akemi had mentioned how Naruto needed to go to the remote island that Ay would pick out. Which was only confirmed after Naruto had received a vision. It was there that Naruto would be able to control the Kyuubi's powers.
Mifune looks around the room, seeing that everything that was set out was done. "I now call this meeting adjourned." Mifune says, standing up along with everyone else.
As everyone began leaving the room, Tsunade stops Ay. "Can we talk?" Tsunade asks is a hushed tone.
Ay sends her a look but complies nonetheless and waits until everyone is gone to speak. "Why did you want to talk privately?" He asks, annoyance in his tone.
"I have a favour to ask of you." Tsunade says, getting straight to the point.
This grabbed Ay's full attention. "Oh?"
Tsunade nods. "I've heard your brother, Bee, has complete control over the Hachibi. I want your brother to teach that to Naruto so he knows how to control the Kyuubi."
Ay laughs slightly. "That sounds convenient for you. If that Naruto boy gains complete control over the Kyuubi he would become Konoha's greatest military strength. Do you expect us to just give you that?" He asks, his tone become more serious towards the end.
Tsunade grins, taking Ay by surprise. "I know that. But we are not quarrelling over each nation's benefit right now. Uchiha Madara is the enemy right now. There will come a time when we'll need Naruto and Bee's strength. When that happens, it will be too late." Tsunade explains, feeling calm. Tsunade was quite well known for her temper and usually it would help her win most things, but she needed to calm, like a real leader.
Ay nods his head. "Well, what you say actually makes sense. In fact, I myself have already thought about it."
Tsunade looks to him. "Oh?"
"The place where I intend to send them isn't just a hiding place. As I said, it's a special place, I and Bee used to train there." Ay admits, a fond look in his eyes.
Tsunade nods her head slowly. Things were coming together now, just as Akemi had said.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Early next morning, Naruto was dragged out of bed by Itachi and was taken to Tsunade's office. Naruto wasn't even awake, drool still on his chin, sleep in his eyes and his clothes were messy with the hasty wake up call.
"Why am I here Obaa-san?" Naruto whines, tiredness in his voice. He wanted to go back to bed, where he was happy and warm.
Tsunade sighs at him. "Naruto, you've been called here for a reason, now shape up!" She yells at the end making Naruto flinch at the volume.
Itachi shakes his head.
Now more awake than before, Naruto rubs the sleep from his eyes. "I'm going to island now, aren't I?" He asks with a frown.
Tsunade grins slightly. She sometimes forgot that Naruto wasn't as much of an idiot as he made himself out to be at times. This is what she liked about Naruto though, he could be childlike and then in a snap he could become serious.
"You will be taken there by boat and I'll be sending Itachi with you." Tsunade says, sending a glance to Itachi. As much as she needed him here, she needed Itachi to be with Naruto just in case. There could no risks, even if Akemi said nothing happened in the original timeline.
Naruto nods his head, now fully awake and straightening out his clothes. "I understand."
"Only a small amount of people know about this mission. I trust you to keep in under wraps." Tsunade warns him. The only people who knew about this was herself, the Raikage, Itachi, Akemi and now Naruto. Tsunade had no doubt that Akemi would fill Haku and Sasuke in, but they were trusted.
Naruto looks to the ground for a moment before looking up. "If my prediction is going to come true, does that mean Akemi's prediction will too?" He asks, looking to Tsunade and then Itachi.
Tsunade frowns. "I don't know Naruto." In all honesty, she would prefer if Akemi's prediction never came true. The thought of Akemi and Yukiko battling each other and only one coming out alive didn't sit well with Tsunade. She knew that Yukiko would cheat.
"When am I leaving?" Naruto asks, pulling Tsunade out of her thoughts.
Itachi interjects. "Right now." He grabbed two scrolls and opened them. Itachi reached in and grabbed two backpacks already packed, curtesy of Akemi.
Naruto looks downcast that he wouldn't be able to say goodbye to anyway, especially Hinata, but he knew it was for the best. He wouldn't be long. With that last thought, Naruto perked up slightly and performed a transformation just, making himself look like an ordinary ninja. Itachi followed suite. If anyone saw an ANBU or an Uchiha travelling with an ordinary ninja they would get suspicious and they needed to lay low.
Tsunade smiles sadly. "Come back soon, okay?"
Naruto's disguised face grins at Tsunade. "I'll be back before you know it."
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Now that Naruto was gone, the house was a lot quieter, though I did really miss him. Since Itachi was also gone, Sasuke was staying with us until Naruto came back. I didn't want to risk Obito sneaking into the Village and Sasuke being on his own. That very thought sent me frantic and made me panic until I persuaded Sasuke to stay with us. However, it seemed that Sasuke didn't need much convincing, he agreed right away.
To keep myself busy I had been working on the re-animation Jutsu. I had spent half the night looking at how to re-create the re-animation Jutsu just like Kabuto had done. However, I was having little to no success which was making me want to pull my hair out in frustration. It was because of that I only got a few hours of sleep and then I had to teach a medical class. A few nurses had been brought in to replace Yukiko since we were down one medic-ninja. I then had to go to Tsunade's office for our lessons and I was steadily improving.
But when I got home, I flopped onto my bed ready to fall asleep and nap for an eternity or two. I turn my head from the pillow and just look around my room and see the box in the corner. In the box was the fallen members of the Akatsuki. I no longer had them on my person because Yukiko already managed to get Hidan's body without my knowledge so I wasn't going to be making that mistake again. This house was possibly the most secure place in Konoha. Not only did this house have several protection Jutsu from me but from Haku, Tsunade and Itachi. Itachi told me that Uchiha's had special protection Jutsu made especially for them and they were particularly powerful. These techniques were a secret and only Uchihas are meant to know about them.
There was no way in hell Yukiko was getting these scrolls physically.
But something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it but something didn't feel right in my room. It was like there was a presence in my room and that unnerved me.
Slowly, I got up and observed my room. Nothing seemed out of place and I couldn't sense anything. Everyone was out. Sasuke and Haku were sparring with each other, Naruto and Itachi were on a mission and Kakashi was reading his porn somewhere. It was just me in the house and I wasn't expecting anyone back for a least a few more hours.
My eyes locked onto the box in the corner.
I moved over to the box and with care, I picked up the box and placed it onto my bed. Activating my Shīringu I unlock all the seals that I had placed on the box, including Itachi's seal. I wouldn't have known how to do that though if Itachi hadn't have told me.
Deactivating seals came easy to me. It was like looking at basic and clear blueprints, things were labelled and everything was easy to understand. However, the Uchiha's seal was more complicated, theirs had too many dimensions to decipher and would take me a while to decode. It was news to me that Sayuri Uchiha had been the one to make the protection Jutsu and it has never been altered because it was never needed to be altered.
Opening the box, everything looked normal at first glance.
But then I felt it.
After the fallen Akatsuki members were sealed in these scrolls, there would be no trace of them besides a faint trickle of their chakra. This was so you could tell they were still in their scrolls. Usually, I would be able to feel all their chakras, but this time I couldn't. I look again, this time with my Shīringu and my heart nearly stopped.
Some of them were gone.