We all stood in front of Lady Tsunade. I had my head down the whole time while Yamato explained that our mission was failed.

"I see…" Tsunade said. "And so…"

"We're not giving up!" Naruto said.

"Well then. Take some time to gather yourselves and I will summon you when I am ready to send you out for your next mission." Tsunade said. We all nodded and left Lady Tsunade's office.

"Anako, do you want to go get some ramen?" Naruto asked me.

"Not tonight Naruto, maybe tomorrow. I just want to get home." I said.

"Oh okay!" Naruto said, looking a little sad. "Tomorrow for sure?"

I nodded my head and made my way home. I opened the door and didn't hear any thoughts. Everyone must be out. I made my way to the room and set my bag down on the floor. After plopping down on the bed, I sighed and the tears began to fall out of my eyes. Not this again.


I made my way to the library and looked for the book that Lady Tsunade requested me to read. After looking and looking, I finally found it. I went around the corner and saw Sai sitting at the table.

"What're you reading?" I asked.

"Anako." Sai said.

"You read too?"

"Well… Sometimes."

"I like to read." I said, holding up my book. I glanced down at the books Sai was reading. Hmmm, he's trying to make his interpersonal skills better.

"Umm, Naruto and I are going to go see Master K today in the hospital and I wanted to know if you'd like to join us?" I asked.

"Master K?"

"Oh, Master Kakashi. I've called him Master K since the beginning. I figured since you're apart of Team Kakashi now…" Sai nodded and we left the library. I saw Naruto sitting down waiting for me.

"Hey Naruto!" I called to him.

"What's Sai doing here?"

"Since he's part of Team Kakashi now, he has to meet Master K." I said.

"Yeah yeah… How can you guys like the library? It's super boring."

"The library isn't so bad. It's actually very fun. You should go sometimes. You might actually have a brain." I said, laughing.

'Anako always makes jokes when with Naruto.' Sai thought.

"Anako, that's saying too much." Naruto said, hanging his head low.

"Naruto, Anako…" Sai said. We looked at him. "Would you mind if I join your conversation? I umm, read this book about getting to know people and stuff… It said that we should use suffixes or make nicknames. It creates closeness."

"Sai, I didn't think you care about that stuff." Naruto said, laughing. I smiled at him.

"But I thought about it for a while and I haven't thought of any nicknames and I just won't use suffixes."

"Nicknames aren't just something you think about, they come naturally." Naruto said.

"Yeah. Like sometimes can use nicknames based on characteristics." I said. I heard Sai's thoughts and then he looked at me and smiled.

"I've got one for you, Anako. Bitch." Everything paused at that moment. Did he seriously call me a bitch?

"I'm going to kill you!" I yelled. Naruto grabbed me around my waist and I kicked and punch at him.

"Sai! That's overdoing it!" Naruto yelled.

"What do mean?" Sai asked innocently. I got away from Naruto and punched Sai.

"I'm not a bitch." I said, walking away from the two.

"Anako! Wait!" Naruto yelled after me, holding his face.

-Hospital-

"I see… So this is our new teammate. Sai, was it? Nice to meet you." Master K said.

"Thank you…" Sai said after a few moments.

'What happened to those two? Both of them are hurt. Did they fight? I know how Naruto's temper can be…' Master K thought to me.

'No, Sai called me a bitch and Naruto tried to stop me and I got to the two.' I thought back. The boys looked at me and I smiled at them.

"Umm, Naruto…" I said, looking at him.

"Right. Master K, our last mission…" Naruto started.

"I've already heard from Yamato. He also told me about Sasuke."

"We don't have time left. At this rate, in a bit, he'll just get stronger. And where we are right now, we aren't strong enough to bring Sa-him back." Naruto said.

"Well in that case, you need to get stronger than him, right?" Master K asked.

"I've talked with Lady Tsunade and she told me it was possible that he's been using forbidden jutsu or has been using drugs to enhance his training. As much as I'd like to see firsthand to how Kabuto does this, all I've got is these books." I said, holding up my book.

"In that case, you'll need to get stronger than him at a much faster rate." Master K said.

"How?"

Master K explained that he had thought of something for Naruto to try. He also said that Naruto could even pass him. It has to do something the Rasengan. I heard the door open.

"Master Asuma, at least knock." Ino yelled at Asuma.

"Hi!" Choji said, eating chips.

"How're doing, Kakashi?" Asuma asked.

"Hey there Anako, Naruto. Is your mission…" Shikamaru looked at Sai. "Hey it's you…"

"Hiya." Sai said. Sai explained why he attacked them. Ino came over and stood next to me.

"Ahh. So that's what it was about." Choji said.

"My name is Sai. Just call me that."

"I heard about Sasuke from Lady Tsunade." Shikamaru said. Asuma glanced at me. "I'll help out next time; now that those chunin exams are over."

"Yeah…" Naruto said.

"You guys go ahead to Yakiniku Q." Asuma said. "Team Kakashi, you three go with them."

"Yay! Yakiniku!" Choji yelled.

"You got it!" Ino said, clapping her hands. 'I get to sit next to Sai.'

"I've got to speak with Kakashi about something. So it's on me." Asuma said.

"Hey, hang on." Naruto said. "What about my training talk?"

"Oh right. We'll talk about that later."

"What? You got me all fired up!" Naruto shouted.

"Anako, doesn't Sai remind you of Sasuke?" Ino whispered to me. Asuma and Naruto glanced at me. I smiled and looked at her.

"Sai is nothing like him." I said. "I actually can't go. I have a shift tonight at the hospital and I need to rest for that."

I ignored Naruto calling my name and just made my way out of the hospital. I clutched my chest and ran home. I opened the door and went to my room. Sliding down the door, I couldn't stop the tears from falling down. I needed to stop this already. A knock came to my door.

"I know you're in there Anako." Asuma said. "Open the door." I stood up and opened the door. I fell into Asuma's chest and began to cry.

"Oh it's okay." Asuma said, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

"Everyone keeps saying his name." I mumbled.

"I know, sweetheart, but it'll get better."

"It's been two and a half years and it still affects me."

"Sometimes it takes longer for people to heal. It's just taking you a little longer than others."

"I feel like such a little bitch."

"You're not a bitch, but you are little." Asuma said with a chuckle.

"According to Sai, I am a bitch. But that's okay; he's an asshole." I said, laughing as well.

"There's my sisters laugh." Asuma said.

"Thank you, Asuma." I said, hugging him.

"You're welcome, Anako. What're big brothers for?"

"I love you."

"I love you too. Let's go to the living room. Kurenai and I have to tell you something."

I didn't read his mind, instead waited until we got to the living room. Kurenai was sitting on the couch playing with her thumbs. I read her mind instead and let out a scream.

"Oh my gosh! You're pregnant?" I yelled to her. She got a big smile on her face and nodded. I let out another scream and hugged Asuma. "Oh my! Congratulations! I am so happy for you too."

"Thank you." Kurenai said, standing up. I gave her a hug and placed a hand on her stomach.

"I can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew. You're going to be spoiled by your Auntie Anako."

"Ahaha." Asuma said, laughing. "I'm not sure about that." I gave him an impassive look.

"Yeah right; look at Konohamaru." Asuma smiled and shrugged.

"I guess you're right."

"Anako, Asuma and I would like you to be the baby's godmother as well."

"Oh, of course! I'm Konohamaru's as well. I'd be honored!" I said.

"We're thinking of asking Shikamaru to be the baby's godfather." Asuma said.

"I am so excited for you two. This is just awesome news." I said, smiling at the two.

"Thank you again. We're both pretty excited about it as well." Kurenai said, hugging Asuma.

"It's going to be a fun experience. That's for sure." Asuma said, kissing her forehead. I glanced at the clock.

"Oh shit! My shift started 15 minutes ago!" I said, running to the door. "Bye! Congratulations again!"

I smiled as I ran to the hospital. Maybe things aren't as bad as I think they are.


The light that shone through the window woke me up. A few days have gone by and all I've been doing is working at the hospital and helping Lady Tsunade. I got out of bed and got ready to go to Shikamaru's. Lady Tsunade asked me to pick up some antlers for medicine she wanted me to make. I made my way to the Nara home and knocked on the door.

"Oh hello, Anako." Yoshino, Shikamaru's mother, greeted. "What brings you here?"

"I came to pick up some antlers for medicine that Lady Tsunade wants me to make." I said.

"Oh yes, please come in." Yoshino moved so I could come in. I waited for her and then followed her to the kitchen. She went to the fridge and got out a bag for me.

"Here you go." She said, handing me the bag.

"Thank you." I said, smiling at her.

"Asuma is out back with Shikamaru, if you want to go see them."

"Oh, I think I'll go say hi to them. Thank you, Mrs. Nara." I said, politely.

"Oh you've known me long enough. Call me Yoshino."

"Thank you, Yoshino." I made my way to the back and saw Asuma and Shikamaru playing shogi.

"Oh, hey Anako." Asuma said, noticing me.

"Hello Asuma, hello Shikamaru." I said, smiling at the two.

"Hey Anako." I started to say something to them when I heard Naruto yelling for Asuma.

"Master Asuma! Hey there!" Naruto yelled. I realized he was a clone.

"Hey Naruto." Shikamaru said.

"What brings you here?"

"Anako! I didn't even see you." Naruto said, smiling at me. "Sorry I haven't been around. I've been busy training."

"No worries. Lady Tsunade has kept her left hand woman busy." I said, laughing.

"Left hand?" Shikamaru asked, giving me a puzzled look.

"Shizune is her right hand woman, I'm her left. Since, I'm left handed and Shizune is right, you know, get it?" I asked. They all just sweatdropped at my lame joke. I sweatdropped myself. "I'll just be going now. I'll see you all later."

I left the Nara house and made my way to the hospital. I thought my joke was funny. I don't know why they didn't think so. I heard my name being called.

"Anako!" I turned around and saw Suki and her team.

"Hey guys! How's it going?" I asked, giving Suki a hug.

"It's going good." Suki said. "How have things been with you? I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

"It's being going well. Lady Tsunade has been keeping me busy."

"Ah yes. I have heard you've become quite the medical ninja." Suki said.

"Well… I don't want to brag or anything." I said, laughing. "I'm totally kidding, but I've enjoyed myself."

"So you can heal anything?" Hiro asked me.

"Depends on the degree of the injury. Fatal injuries take a little longer and can sometimes only be healed with surgery. Others like, cuts, scraps, can be healed simple. And I won't even go into broken bones."

"Can you heal this?" Saka asked, holding up his arm. A big gash was there.

"Will you hold this for me?" I asked, handing the bag to Suki. I went over to Saka and grabbed his arm. I looked at it thoroughly. "Well, I first need to clean it, so that way when I heal it doesn't have bacteria in it and won't get worse throughout life."

I took out some cleaning material and cleaned out Saka's cut. After that I made my hands green and the cut slowly faded away. I heard Suki gasp.

"Wow, that's awesome." Suki said.

"Thanks. I try really hard." I said. "Speaking of that, I better get going. It was good to see you guys again."

"We need to have a girl's night sometime." Suki said.

"Yes. We do." I said, smiling at her. "I'll come by your place soon and we'll plan it out."

"Sounds good. Bye." I left them and continued to the hospital. An ANBU landed in front of me.

"Lady Anako. Lady Tsunade has requested your presence right away." He said.

"Thank you." I put the antlers in my pouch and went to where Lady Tsunade was. I landed in front of her and bowed.

"You requested me?" I asked.

"Yes. I need you to go to the Fire Temple and heal all the injuries. I'd send Sakura or Ino, but Sakura is gone and Ino is going to locate the Akatsuki. If you run into them, do whatever in your power to hold them off while backup comes." Lady Tsunade said.

"Is Naruto safe?"

"Yes. He's with Kakashi and Yamato. Go."

I left her and ran home. I threw on my chunin vest and grabbed my medical bag. I made my way to the Fire Temple. Tree after tree, I had to stop. Nightfall fell soon and I sat against a tree. It'd take another half day to get to the Fire Temple. I decided it'd be best to rest. If I wasn't fully well, I wouldn't be able to heal them well. I waited and waited until I saw the sun begin to rise. I stood up and stretched. Okay, time to get my game face on. I hopped through tree after tree when the Fire Temple came into view. I landed in front of it and gasped as I saw how destroyed it was. I entered the temple and noticed Asuma, Shikamaru, Izumo, and Kotetsu.

"Anako." Shikamaru said, giving me a puzzled look.

"I've been sent here to heal any casualties." I said. The three monks looked at me and hung their heads. Only three of them are alive. "Are you three injured in anyway?"

They shook their heads and I nodded at them. Asuma and his team have been sent out to search and destroy the Akatsuki. After the older monk said a prayer for Asuma, we made our way to the front of the Fire Temple.

"Anako?" Asuma said. "What're you going to do now?"

"Since there were no casualties, I must report back to Lady Tsunade. I wasn't sent out to find the Akatsuki. Asuma, I must warn you. The Akatsuki is a very powerful group. All the members are different. If you run into a blonde one, he uses clay explosives. You already know about Itachi and Kisame." I said. Asuma placed a hand on my shoulder.

"No need to worry about me, sis." Asuma said. "It should be the other way around, you know… I should be worrying about you, not you worrying about me."

"I am a female you know. We worry about everything. I must go now. Be safe. All of you." I said, looking towards all three.

"We will. See you in a bit. Love you." Asuma said.

"Love you too." I said.

Asuma and his team went a different way and I made my journey back to the village. If I kept the pace I was going, I'd make it to the village soon. I summoned Inza, so I didn't have to be alone. We made same talk when I thought I felt someone grab my shoulder. I gasped and stopped on a tree branch.

"Anako, is everything okay?" Inza asked, stopping next to me. I felt a few drops on my forehead and the rain began to pour down. I suddenly got a bad feeling. Something isn't right.

'Asuma.' I got no response from him. Only silence.

'Asuma.' I called again. Nothing.

'Asuma!' Nothing.

"Anako, something is bothering you… What's wrong?" Inza asked again.

"Something is wrong with Asuma. I'm not getting any thoughts from him and…" Realization hit me. Usually when I didn't hear any thoughts from a person that meant…

"No!" I stood up shouting.

"Anako. If you aren't hearing any thoughts, that means he's-"

"Don't say it Inza! He isn't. He just can't be. I just saw him not to long ago. He's fine. Maybe he's unconscious. Maybe he was knocked out in battle. Yeah, that's it. When we get back to the village he'll be waiting there for us. Come Inza."

I pushed forward; not letting up at all. I had to get to the village. Asuma is there, waiting for me to get back. The rain stopped and I finally got back to the village. I need to report to Lady Tsunade before I went and saw Asuma. Inza poofed away and I was at the Hokage Mansion in a matter of seconds. I turned my power off. I made my way to her office and knocked on the door. I heard her say enter and I went into her office. I opened the door and her head was in her hands.

"Oh, Anako." She said a sad smile on her face.

"I came to report. Only three were alive and none of them needed assistance. Is Asuma back yet?" I asked. The room seemed to stand still.

"Anako, I'm afraid I have some terrible news."

"Terrible news? What do mean terrible news?"

"Asuma has died." When the words left her mouth, my assumptions were true. I just didn't want to believe that Asuma was really gone.

"Has anyone spoken to Konohamaru?" I asked after a few moments.

"No, I planned on-"

"Please allow me to do it." I said.

"Anako, you don't have too. I-"

"I don't want your sympathy or pity. I can handle this on my own. He's my nephew and I need to tell him myself." I walked to the door and left. My whole body felt numb as I made my way home. Every shinobi that I passed gave me a look of sympathy. They all knew. Once I got home I slowly turned the knob and walked inside. Konohamaru was at the table eating.

"Auntie Anako! There you are. I made dinner for you and Asuma." Hearing Konohamaru so happy and cheerful for our return made me choke up and the tears start to fall from my eyes.

"Auntie, what's wrong?" Konohamaru asked, getting up from the table and making his way to me.

"Asuma isn't coming home." I choked out, getting straight to the point. Konohamaru just looked at me; unable to process the words I just spoke.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Asuma has died."

The room stood still again as I broke the news to him. The look he gave me made my heart sink to the pit of my stomach. I choked out a few sobs and pulled him to me as he began crying. We stood there just letting everything out.

"We'll get through this." I said. "This is a promise I'm making to you. We'll be strong together."

Konohamaru just nodded and continued to let everything out, as did I. It's like running into a brick wall and did I hit that wall hard. Having all the memories, hearing Asuma's voice in my head made me cry even harder. My hero, my idol, my brother, my best friend was dead.


Here is chapter 06. :( I hate writing sad chapters. They just make me sad and I get all glum. I hope you all enjoy this, though! I have a whole different story for Anako planned. You'll just have to wait and see.

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StarTrail

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