Authors Note: I will attempt to fuse some chapters because I've heard that my chapters are a bit too short. Also, I checked the poll results so far, and, honestly, I'm not impressed. Two votes. That's all?! If you vote, I will be more motivated and keep writing, and I could get to the really good parts, like, say, the Chunin Exams.

I would also like to thank anyone really following the story. This includes T-Time YOSH and Vivio312. ^^

Chapter 6- Jinchuriki

"Come with me," prompted Mito. Kushina nodded and the ANBU went outside and closed the door. They went into Mito's room. Mito sat on her bed and Kushina sat in front of her in a small chair.

"What is it?" asked Kushina softly. Mito looked up at her.

"Well, I don't know how you'll take this, but the Kyuubi needs a new Jinchuriki." Mito paused. "Come in, you two." Akahi and Tsunade, who were standing at the door, came in and sat on the floor in front of Mito. Kushina shot an uncertain look, and she just nodded in reply. "My grandchildren, of course, have a right to know."

"Grandchildren? So Akahi and Tsunade-sama are COUSINS?!" Kushina exclaimed. "Either Akahi looks really young… Or Tsunade-sama looks really old…" She was silenced by menacing glares by the two. "Now I see the family resemblance!"At first, they looked offended, but then they laughed their heads off. After the giggles died away, Mito spoke again.

"I'll explain later. But right now, what I want to talk about… I'm getting old. So the Kyuubi needs a new Jinchuriki."

"Granny?! You're a Jinchuriki, too?!" exclaimed Akahi. "Then-" She stopped. "Go on."

"Okay, so the thing is, members of the Uzumaki clan have amazing chakra. Even within them, Kushina, you are special. The reason I even had Tsunade bring you to this village was for you to become Kyuubi's Jinchuriki." She paused to let it sink in. Kushina's face became scared as she realized what she had said. Akahi had gotten up onto her feet, and was quivering with rage. Tsunade closed her eyes and muttered something under her breath. Mito looked concerned and Kushina squirmed in her seat uneasily.

"So you're going to make her go through what I did?! You're all just USING her?!" Akahi growled. A shroud of blue chakra began forming around her and also formed two tails. She bounded out of the house. Kushina jumped out of her chair and ran after her. Mito and Tsunade exchanged worried glances. Then Tsunade walked out and broke into a sprint. Pulling out an old picture, Mito sighed for the millionth time.

"Hikaze, what were you thinking?"

Elsewhere in the village, Shizune strolled through the streets. With her were Minato Namikaze, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi. They had all received their team assignments earlier.

"I can't believe I'm on Jiraiya-sensei's squad! And with two guys… If he turns you two into pervs too, I'll kill myself!" complained Kurenai, stressfully tugging at her untamed black hair. Asuma sighed. Shizune and Minato laughed softly, shaking their heads.

"So Shizune, who are you with?" asked Minato.

"Well, my sensei is Tsunade-sensei…" she started.

"Hmph," said Kurenai.

"One of my teammates is Akahi…" she continued.

"Oh goodness…" mumbled Asuma.

"And… Kushina," Shizune finished. Minato blushed.

"Lucky…" he stammered. Asuma walked over to him and pat his back.

"Ok, man, we gotta talk. I can give you lessons-" He was cut off Kurenai and Shizune's worried glances. In front of them was Kushina.

"Big trouble, guys! It's Akahi… She-" Kushina started sprinting back. "Follow me!" On the way, she told them everything she had learned. After she finished, Shizune stayed silent for a while. Then she spoke.

"If that's the case, then I'm going to convince the people what a nice person she is. She must be so lonely- Kushina, you're probably her only friend. I want to be her friend, too!" Kurenai turned to glare at Asuma.

"Take back that 'Oh goodness' from earlier. That was offensive! Do you even know what kind of person Akahi is?" reprimanded Kurenai.

"Ok, I take it back," muttered Asuma.

"There!" Kushina skidded to a stop and pointed at Akahi and Tsunade. "Akahi and Tsunade-sensei are…" An angry mob of villagers emerged and started yelling horrible things at Akahi. Just when the roit started getting back, Rei showed up.

"Quiet down!" she yelled. She was a respected Jonin of the village. Not listening to her was suicide.

"Mom…" said Shizune, awestruck. Kurenai spotted her own father in the mob. He refused to quiet down. Everyone else already had.

"You don't know what's good for this village!" he snapped. "That thing-" He stepped forward. "I'll even fight you if I have to! We have to kill that thing!" Rei's eyes narrowed.

"How about you, Katsu Yuhi?" she retorted coolly. "My brother would say you've got no nerve when it comes to decisions like this…"

"It doesn't even matter that you're Dan's younger sister! He's a big showoff! So are you!" Her jaw dropped at his words. Kurenai glared at him helplessly. Finding an opening, Katsu threw a kunai knife at Rei. There was a flash of blue, and suddenly Akahi was there. Embedded in her hand was the kunai. She dropped to her knees, wincing in pain. Wordlessly, Rei stepped forward.

"This child just risked her life to save a comrade. That alone proves she possesses the Will of Fire. And not just any Will of Fire. Hers is the same is Hikaze-sama's! She is-" Tsunade shushed her. She had almost accidentally revealed one of the most-well kept secrets in Konoha. Akahi had calmed down. The kunai had disintegrated, and the chakra cloak disappeared. She looked terrified. All the other Genin helped her to the hospital. Tsunade and Rei followed, talking in whispers.

"It isn't confirmed. I need to run a test first. But Grandmother said that it's true…" whispered Tsunade. "Don't make guesses with this kind of thing…"

"I'm so sorry… Actually, I know it's true. I was there. Sensei was so happy… even when… she knew she was on the verge of death… But she pulled through… for Akahi…" Rei realized she had been crying and rubbed at her eyes.

Ah… A nice, long chapter… Rei is awesome! ^^

Please review!