A/N: Writters block is a just... *Unintelligible noise*

Sorry for the EXTREMELY delayed update. Hopefully you like this chapter and I promise that from now on the story will progress faster. Well I hope it does, there's a bunchstuff I really want to write, but story arc wise its like whole arc away. But more on that when we get to it.

William Takashi sat at his small corner desk, pen in hand. Beside him were two large stacks of scrolls of assorted sizes, one sat on the left hand side of the desk the other on the right. Rapidly the man scribbled down every fragment, every memory he had to hand. Back on 'the Rock', the name given to the bastion of civilisation which he hailed from, William had been the keeper of great library, where all of the villages experience and knowledge had been categorized and saved for the preceding generations. He didn't, by anyones account, seem to be the obvious choice to be keeper of the written histories of their village when he was crippled by blindness. However it was the onset of the condition that drove him to be the keeper of the villages knowledge.

He always had a photographic memory when it came to written documents, and Only written documents. He could dictate to you every ledger in the great library, ask him who he had met the previous hour and he'd go blanc as a sheet. Much to his embarrassment. This skill however was something he'd never thought would have to be put to task in the way it was now. Not to say that the idea of similar circumstances were not considered by the his own high council. There had always been a plan put in place to destroy their vast collection of knowledge upon the village being compromised. Which, when William thought back, had probably been the second tremor he'd felt during the first day of the attack. He wrote absentmindedly, his hand writing down one of the hundreds of books he'd promised to hand over the Konoha's council.

This promise had been made the previous month, when he presented himself to the Konoha's council in person for the first time. That had been an experience and a half, thought William as he paused to gaze out of his small window, a sour look on his face. Before meeting the ruling body of his new home, he'd expected the Hokage to be in complete control with maybe a small council of advisers. He had however learnt that though the Hokage was the figurehead of the village, there were layers of individuals who struggled for representation and power beneath him. Each system of ruling had its own merits, he guessed.

His pen paused when the door slid open behind him. This was followed by a startled cry and a clattering sound. Turning, William looked over at the door. He had been writing solidly for nearly the entire month. The scrolls on his desk were in two piles. One specifically containing the information asked for by the council. The other containing important information that William thought would be useful at the current moment in time. To get out the vast amount of info he had in his head he had been writing everything as it had come to him. This had ment that alot of what he had written was excess material. To stop this excess material being mixed up with his carefully ordered piles he had been placing the other scrolls in a pile on the floor on the other side of the room. However as he'd gotten into the following of writing a couple of days in, he had forgone carefully placing them on the other side of the door and had started chucking them over his shoulder. This ment the the now mountainous pile had collapsed upon the door opening.

Quickly William made his way over to the the only thing left visible of the visitor, a solitary had which was wildly scrabbling amongst the roles of paper. Grasping it he pulled the child out causing Scrolls to roll out into the corridor. Putting them down he patted down the child as said child scowled up at him.

"You could of killed me!" Gry shouted.

"Oh Shush child, your ok aren't you?" William asked pushing some of the errant scrolls out of the doorway with his foot.

Though Gry kept scowling, crossing her arms with a huff, she did however nod an affirmative.

"Now. What is it that you want Gry?" he asked. Now scooping scrolled into his arms.

"That other old man is here to see you." Gry said unfolding her arms.

"Ah I s... " He started before pausing for a brief moment. "We're not that old!"

Gry smiled at his indignation continuing in her best innocent voice, "But Grand Master, I thought you were over a hundred years old."

In a blink of an eye William had dropped all the scrolls in his arms and had darted into the adjoining bathroom. He was now staring at himself in the mirror, his hands slowly manipulating the skin on his face. Gry could only look on giggling as he mumbled that he couldn't possibly look THAT old. Could he?

It took a moment for him to regain his composer and for Gry to stop giggling. Sighing he tussled the girls short hair as he strolled out of the room. "Come on then, we'd better not keep him waiting any longer than we already have."

William strolled into his small living space but seeing it empty made his way over to the connecting door to the children's connecting flat. Opening the door he walked into the room Gry at his heels. Sitting on the lone couch was the two boys. Though it was a proportionally large couch, they were seated close together. William sat comfortably at one end engrossed in conversation with their guest, his face an image of astute curiosity. Farid however as leaning ever so slightly into his friend, his knees brought into his chest as his gaze flicked from person to person within the room, as well as to one of the ceiling corners. Which he guessed was where the Hokage personal guard was. As he came further into the room William could also see that Michael had his hand beside Farids, their little fingers intertwined, Michael gently squeezing when he Farid seemed to get agitated.

As both he and Gry made there way over, the other three looked up. Michael stood up, gently pulling Farid with him. William motioned for them to sit again and both sank back onto the couch, Gry quickly joining them. William forsook the couch for one of the two single chairs that sat around their tiny coffee table. He bowed his head in respect towards the Hokage as he sat, being greeted by the Hiruzens kind smile.

Adjusting his dark grey kimono, he made pointed looks at Farid and then to the kitchenette adjoining the room. With a hesitant nod Farid stood and turned towards the Hokage, giving a small bow. "Hokage-sama may I offer you some tea?" he said quietly.

"Thank you Farid, I would love to have some tea." The hokage said with his usual warm smile which Farid surprisingly returned, before making his way out of the room to the kitchen. The gazes of the other occupants following him.

With a thoughtful smile William sighed, "So. Hokage-sama, how can we be of service to you?"

The Hokage smiled politely as the sound of the gas range being turned on and cupboards opening and closing drifted into the room. "I'm here to tell you that the council has agreed to allow your children to attend the shinobi academy. I have insisted that they join the year group that has just started however. Transitioning to a new culture, a new school and making new friends will only be exacerbated more if there's an age difference."

William nodded in agreement as the children fidgeted on the sofa in excitement. "When did the academic year start?" He enquired scratching his chin. As he asked this question Farid returned with a tray holding a teapot and 5 cups. Setting it on the small table in the middle he portioned the hot liquid out and offered the cups to individually to each person. starting with there guest.

The Hokage took the ceramic vessel with gracious smile which was returned shyly. Once he had served everyone he returned to his previous place on the couch. Leaning against his friend as if for support and hesitantly glancing at the cup in the Hokage's hand.

The hokage cupped the beverage as he lent forward, "They started last summer." He put a hand up to pause William as he opened his mouth. "They are just about to break up for their winter break. My plan is for the children to be tutored until the end of the winter holidays, thus catching up on the first terms work, so they won't be behind starting the new year."

The other elderly man nodded before taking a sip of his drink. This motion was copied by the room's other unlike the rest of the room Hiruzen had the cup paused in front of his face, a curious look on his face as he inspected the tea. He had been expecting green tea, a staple of the 5 nations. What he had in his hand was something he'd neither seen nor smelled before. He glanced from the brown liquid to the boy who had served him. The child in question was looking at him with trepidation, fidgeting in worry. The Hokage embraced his curiosity, if only to put the boy at ease.

He took a sip.

The drink was sweet, hot and had an exsotic taste unlike anything he'd had before. His face lit up in enjoyment. Before he knew it he had finished his cup. He placed it down on the table, "That was, Very unique. Something you brought with you?" His question was directed at Farid who nodded happily. "If you don't become a shinobi you could always market this. I'm sure it wouldn't take long for you to personally rival Tea Country." He chuckled and the other three smiled.

William took another sip of his own drink. The tea, was the most popular drink amongst the nomadic tribes of the great desert. This had included Farids. Even after they settled on 'The Rock'. They had been lucky enough to find a stash of the tea amongst the belongings that had happened to be transported to konoha along with them. It was a precious reminder of home especially after Farid had planted about half the tea mix they had found, which sat on there window sill.

His attention soon turned to the Hokages last statement involving the children's education. Something seemed off to him so he pressed the issue. "I'm sure the first term of the first year can't hold that many challenges. Don't underestimate these young minds." He nodded to the three on the couch. "They are like sponges. I'm sure you wont need to bother with a tutor." William smiled, but the whole time he was judging the Hokages features looking for any tells to confirm his suspicions.

He saw it. A micro-expression.

He shifted his weight, leaning forward to put his cup down. "But if you insist on a tutor Hokage-sama, it can only help in the progression. When will they start?"

The Hokage had his cup out, Farid pouring him a second cup. "First thing tomorrow morning. Their tutor will pick them up, ascertain their skills and adapt what they need to learn to catch up." He smiled at the young boy again in thanks before settling back in the chair.

"I see." William nodded slowly in understanding, his eyes never leaving the Hokage's. "And this private tutoring will last till...?" He left the question hanging.

The men locked gazes as the Hokage answered, "Till I see fit."

William kissed his teeth. Not on purpose but out of habit. The Hokages unclear and inconsistent answer on the length of time they would have a 'tutor' was the last nail in the coffin of his suspicions. Turning to his charges he gave them a smile. "Me and the Hokage need to continue alone." He reached into his sleeve and removed a few notes of currency. "Michael. Take the others and grab something for dinner."

The boy in question grinned and reached out for the money. But before he reached it, it was snatched by Gry. "Oh no you don't! You wondered off and bought sweets last time." He said sticking out her tongue. Michael crossed his arm and huft, "You had some to Gry."

Gry pointed at her friend accusingly, "We had no choice!"

Farid sat between them, turning this way and that as the verbal insults began to fly. Though he was happy to stay out of it. Someone else wasn't. From behind his should, uncurling herself from the confines of Farids hood, a small black face appeared. She gave the room a look over as her ears followed the confrontation. Like a jet black bolt of lightning she was gone. And so was the cash. The argument died as quickly as it began, as Gry looked to her now empty hand, Michael stared at Gry and Farid frantically started looking round. His feline ear perked and swiveling like satellite dishes as he searched for his partner.

"Hokage-sama. May I be permitted to start my mission early." As if from thin air an ANBU operative was standing on the other side of the coffee table. In his arms a very annoyed kitten, the money still clamped in her mouth.

The Hokage raised an eyebrow before looking over at William silently asking for his consent. The other man shrugged. "As long as he thinks he can handle them." he smiled. "Keep careful watch over them... Erm..."

"You can call me Weasel Takashi-san." he answered taking the money off Sa'dia and putting her down.

"All right." William smiled before turning to the startled children. "Change of plan. Listen to Weasel and do as he says. Got it." This somewhat shook them from the stupor from the sudden appearance of Weasel had put them in. He was answered by frantic nodding as they looked the newcomer over.

Weasel made his way to the apartment's front door, opening it he went to usher his new charges outside. But when he turned they weren't sitting on the couch anymore. With a glance at Takashi, who gave him a casual smile, he sighed and closed the door behind him.

-Outside on a small roof top, just outside the flats kitchen window-

Sitting up against the wall the three children grinned at each other.

"How long do you think it'll take him to find us?" Farid asked as he stroked Sa'dia's head.

"Hmm, Well when we tried to hide from those other masked people it took them half an hour. What do you think Gry? Did you get a feel of his spirit?" Michael asked turning to Gry.

Gry nodded, "He's stronger than Kestrel." Her statement was greeted by awed gasps and shocked faces.

"He must be super powerful." Micheal, "If he's our teacher it'll be awesome. We'll kick ass in school." He fist pumped the sky a grin threatening to split his face. He Turned back to Gry, "Can you feel where he is?"

She nodded and clasped her hands together as she closed her eye's. She was focusing for barely a second before her eye's shot open, a visible twitch at the corner of one of her eyes.

"Sooo..." Michael asked, a bit of concern entering his voice.

She slowly started to look up. This motion was copied by the two boys and all three of their gazes met that of porcelain mask.

-Back in the flat-

A started cry was heard from outside the room as the two elderly men sipped at their tea.

"Seems that your 'ANBU' are as skilled as ever Hokage-sama." William said nonchalantly.

"They are my finest shinobi. Though I'm surprised they noticed his presence so quickly." The hokage chuckled.

"Thats what I wanted to talk to you about. You've assigned one of your finest Ninja to 'teach' a couple of six year olds the absolute basics of basic academy teaching." He put his cup down and gave the Hokage a hard look. "Who's coming after us Hokage-sama?"

There was a brief moment of silence between the two men before the Hokage put his own cup down. "We don't know. Yesterday It was brought to my attention the both yours and your children's medical records had been tampered with."

In response Williams visibly tensed, his hands clenching into fists. "For what purpose do you think they did this?"

"We are unsure? It could be idle curiosity, but experience says otherwise." The hokage said with a tired tone. "A similar set of circumstances occurred before the heiress of one of most prominent clans suffered a kidnap attempt."

With that last word William shot up out of his chair, "You know this and you let me send my children outside into a possible nest of vipers." He ground out through gritted teeth. As he said this he subconsciously flared his chakra along with his killer intent, which the hokage had expected from any sane person told the same information. What he hadn't expected was Williams chair to be physically thrown backwards with enough force to dash it to splinters against the wall.

"Please calm yourself Takashi-san. I have put in place measures to secure your children's safety. Weasel is one of the best shinobi the village has ever produced. He is also one of my most loyal agents. He'll die before letting anything happen to his charges." The hokage statement made William relax. To a degree.

"And the baby?

"She's under the same level of protection." He said taking his cup of the table and taking another sip. "You really need to name that child, we can't keep calling her 'Baby'." The Hokage chuckled looking into his tea."

William slumped a bit as what was left of the wind of his sails left him. He collapsed onto the couch, head in his hands. "I know. I asked Michael if he knew what his parents had planned to call her, but he didn't know either. By tradition, from a time when there was a high likelihood of the child dying in the first couple of weeks of life, they weren't named till there one month anniversary of their birth. It's considered bad luck to do otherwise."

"Well then you had better think quickly then Takashi-san. By the doctors reckoning and Michael's account, she'll be one month old tomorrow." Hiruzen said as he poured himself another cup of tea.

"The ANBU operative. The one named Kestel." Takashi said as he looked at the dregs of tea at the bottom of his cup as he gently swirled it in his hand.

"What about them?" Hiruzen said curiously.

"Whats her name?" Takashi said slightly uncomfortable. After everything they'd been through, everything she had done to protect them he was only now asking who she truly was.

Hiruzen paused as he thought over the question. Granted all Operatives names were closely guarded. However he didn't think Takashi's request was for malevolent reasons. "Her name is Emi."

"Emi." Takashi repeated a warm smile playing on his lips. "After all she did for us, I think it would be a good a name as any."

Weasel had forgone his usual ANBU attire in favour of his standard jonin fatigues. This was due to how close he had to shepherd his charges around. He'd of preferred on missions like this to be out of plain view. But this was mission was different.

"ANBU-san. What are we going to eat?" Came a small voice from his right hand side. He sighed but kept walking. " Please use my name while I'm not wearing my mask. You haven't tried a lot of different food since you've been here, have you?"

The lone girl in the group shook her head. "No Uchiha-san. We've mostly been taken to a..." she stopped her brow furrowing as she thought. "Michael. What did they call it?"

"BBQ."

"I see. And this was due to your dietary requirements." The Uchiha said looking down at the first of the children to speak. The boy nervously scratched his head through his light brown hair, nodding. "So we need a type of food that has a high focus on Meat or fish." The Uchiha thought to himself before suddenly changing direction an strolling off down a side street. The ragtag group of children hurrying to keep up.

After a short walk, dominated by the children's many questions and there new chaperones skillful deflection of them. The small group reached a small open fronted stall, the noren covering the entrance dancing in the gentle breeze that came down the street.

"This should fit our criteria." The teen said as he looked down at his three charges. However his head darted round the street as he realised that only two of the children were by his side. His attention was brought back to the Food stand as a shout of 'Irasshaimase!' emanated from within. Farid, the briefly missing child, was standing just within the noren. With a small relieved smile he shepherded the last two towards the entrance.

A/N: So who's looking into the children? No honestly I'm asking. My mind is split like 5 different ways at this moment on who it could be. Hmmmmmmmmmm

I hope your enjoying this story and leave a comment with anything you like, Including and not limited to; Spelling mistakes, grammer corrections, general possitive or negative comments, suggestions, etc.

Random Japanese terms you may or may not know:

Irasshaimase = "Welcome!" Said to customers upon entering a store/restaurant

Noren = Traditional fabric divider hung in doorways or entrances