The Return of The Ero-Sennin

Onyx and Ivory

He was staring more so then usual. It unsettled her. Normally, if she did catch him staring, it would be from a brief moment and generally only happened like once a day. Now she was catching him every couple of hours. She had discreetly wiped at her face and smoothed down her hair, trying to pinpoint the reason why Itachi would be staring at her so much. Everything seemed to be in order though.

After that, she just pretended to ignore it.

Was it because she knew the full extent of his disease now? It had been hard for her to hear it, she had cried for a long time afterwards. Even as she tried to relax herself in the shower at the inn, the tears had flowed freely. She told herself that she shouldn't be crying for him, but she couldn't help it. Not only had he been forced to kill his family and live with the mental torture, he now had to be disease ridden.

And two years…two damn years left.

She couldn't imagine what it must be like, knowing that your time would be coming to an end. It was much different then a normal shinobi death, as that could come at any time. It was something that they drilled into them as children in the academy. Being a shinobi meant that death could come at any moment, it is what you did in that moment of death that would define you. Hoshiko had come close to death numerous times in her life, and all had been unexpected. But she couldn't imagine what it would be like to sit and dwell and watch the days tick by until that time…

Her eyes fixated on the back of his cloak. They were almost at the border between Kusa and Taki. She studied the way Itachi walked. He kept a good pace, and Hoshiko wondered if it was bothering him to do this much walking because of his lungs? She would never ask him, because that would imply that she cared—and she didn't. She put it down to that she was just…curious about it.

She was reminded of the way she had cried over him. It had stunned her, and she didn't know what to make of it. She was trying so hard to keep him at arms length, she wasn't ready to try and forgive him yet. He had done too much, had kept too much from her. Their bond was fractured, probably beyond repair, so it had made her angry at how easily she had cried over his situation.

Hoshiko's hand tightened around the scroll she was holding. It was another letter from Jiraiya. The frog had appeared in the early morning, almost giving Hoshiko a heart attack. As she had been walking she heard the familiar croak and spun around just as it smacked into her face. She had spluttered and retched from the slime but covered it discreetly, hoping that Itachi and Kisame wouldn't turn around. She unclipped the scroll quickly and shooed off the toad before they could spot the infernal thing. She really needed to tell Jiraiya to make his toads subtler. She wouldn't be able to read his letter just yet; she would have to wait until it was her turn to take watch tonight. She was hoping that this was going to be the letter that would tell her where Jiraiya was going to be. She was anxious to see him, to explain herself before he found out that she had joined Akatsuki. She also just really wanted to see him; she had missed the creepy old pervert.

When night fell, Hoshiko offered herself up for first watch. Neither of her companions protested it and after their food had been shared out Hoshiko leapt up into the nearest tree and made herself comfortable. She waited until Kisame rolled over on the grass by the fire and Itachi's chakra evened out before she unfurled the scroll.

I'll be in the village of Kuen for two weeks (until the fifteenth).

It struck her as a little odd that his letter wasn't like his previous ones. There was no greeting, no jovial tone that he normally had when sending her a letter. It concerned her for a moment, as she thought that maybe someone else had sent the letter, like Danzo. She knew it couldn't be possible as the letter had come from Jiraiya's toads, no one else would be able to find her and contact her. She then just put it down to the fact that maybe he was just waiting for them to meet to divulge all the 'gossip' from the village.

Kuen. It was a village in the Fire country. It was quite large, one of the larger villages other then Konoha itself. It would take her around three or four days to get there. She was nervous, considering that there was a high chance that Danzo might have ANBU lurking around the villages, but he probably didn't expect her to return so close to the village after what had happened in Frost country.

Hoshiko peered over her shoulder, and down at the sleeping men below her. She wouldn't be able to stay with them, and seeing as she had been given the green light by Pein to go off and do her own thing it wouldn't be suspicious for her to suddenly leave. She would wait until her watch was over, wake Kisame and then tell him she was going off on her own. She didn't dare tell Itachi, he had almost caught her once receiving a letter from Jiraiya. And even though she knew his true intentions, he'd probably reprimand her for keeping in contact with him as she was taking a risk with her life if anyone found out about it.

When her watch was up, Hoshiko leapt down from the tree and landed on the ground with a small thud. The fire was barely lit as she picked up a few sticks and chucked them onto the dying embers. Next she hovered near Kisame and nudged him with her foot.

"Hey, your turn for watch." She hissed at him quietly.

Kisame groaned, rolling onto his back and swatting her foot away. "You take my shift."

Hoshiko crossed her arms. "Get up, Sushi."

While his eyes were still closed, Kisame smirked. "Sushi, very funny. How long did that one take you to come up with?"

"All night." Hoshiko replied sarcastically. Kisame released a heavy groan and pushed himself up into a sitting position. He noticed that Hoshiko was still hovering and turned his head to give her an inquisitive glance. "I'm leaving." Hoshiko stated to him. Kisame rubbed at his face and angled his head so that he was staring at her.

"Yeah, thought that might happen what with the icy deposition you've had against Itachi-san."

Hoshiko rolled her eyes in annoyance. "It's not because of him." She snapped, making sure she kept her voice down. "There are a few things I need to take care of."

"Whatever." Kisame waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care what you do." Hoshiko snorted and repressed her smirk. Even though she knew she'd see Kisame again, she couldn't help but feel a little sad at the fact that she wouldn't be travelling with him for a while. Hoshiko gave Kisame a tight-lipped nod in thanks and turned on her heel. Just as she was about to jump up into the tree Kisame spoke out. "He's gonna ask me anyway, so what do you want me to say?"

Hoshiko frowned for a moment. Then shrugged her shoulders. "Make something up. I don't care." She heard Kisame give a frustrated sigh. Without turning back around, Hoshiko leapt up into the trees.

Crossing the border into Fire country gave her a feeling of nostalgia a few days later. The scenery changed, becoming more familiar to her from her years of Genin and Chuunin missions. She hadn't been back since she had fled Konoha almost four months ago.

Kuen was located near the west outskirts of the country. It was lucky that she had already been in Kusa, as it would've taken her almost a week to get there had she been coming from any other direction. She would reach Kuen tomorrow, and from there she would use her allowance to grab a room and then locate Jiraiya. It wouldn't be too hard to find him, the first place she would check would be the nearest bar or brothel.

She sat alone around her small fire. She had already placed traps around the vicinity in case someone tried to get the jump on her. Fire country was generally a safe place to travel, but considering she was a wanted woman by Danzo it wouldn't hurt to be cautious once more. Hoshiko would never admit it out loud, but she missed travelling with companions. Even if said companions had been psychotic criminals, she hadn't felt alone.

She thought she might have preferred it, to be alone again. This way, she didn't have to pretend to be this hardened criminal herself. She could be this tired, hurt girl who was just trying to stay alive in a world that kept trying to kill her. Hoshiko rested her chin on top of her knees and stared down at the crackling wood. She almost wanted to laugh at how ridiculous she sounded. She couldn't believe that she was actually missing Kisame's bitter humor and Deidara's boasting attitude. Maybe she really was more like them then she originally thought.

Hoshiko had fallen asleep where she had sat. A distant rustling in the trees woke her up. Her head shot up, eyes wide as they scanned the dark trees in front of her. She released her chakra senses, but found that there was no one nearby. She rubbed at her eyes tiredly, she would be glad when she was sleeping in an inn tomorrow. She had also gotten used to sleeping with a watch present, so that spooks like these wouldn't occur.

Her eyes settled on the glowers embers of the fire. It had mostly gone out, only a small flame remained. Hoshiko reached over to the few spare logs and chucked them onto the fire. It took a little while, but they soon caught alight and warmed up her little clearing once more. It wasn't long before she was dozing off once more.

...

Kuen was a lively village. When Hoshiko stepped foot into the village she was shocked at how much it was like Konoha. She had shed her Akatsuki cloak just before she had reached the gates, she didn't want to risk Jiraiya seeing her before she had the chance to explain herself to him. Hoshiko swung her head from side to side, taking in all the sights that the village had to offer. It was bizarre at how much to buildings; the people and the atmosphere resembled her old home. She grew conflicted. It was easy to remember all the pain that the village had caused her, but it was also a reminder of good times. A lot of good things had come from her being in Konoha, it was just the bad things weighed her down more.

She picked an inn that was in the middle of town. It was more crowded, and easier for her to blend in should there be any shinobi from Konoha that might recognize her. She paid for her room, the middle aged lady behind the counter wishing her well as Hoshiko shuffled up the stairs and to the end of the hall where her room was waiting for her.

She had decided to fork out a few extra coins for a larger bed. She deserved it. She set her things down on the bed and then flopped back on it. She released a heavy sigh. She was dreading her meeting with Jiraiya. She didn't want to tell him that she was in Akatsuki, but she had to. She had to make him see her reasoning behind it all, and if not. Well let's just hope that she could run faster then him.

She decided that now was the best time to go and find him, it was the middle of the day, and if she knew him—he'd be at a bar already. She left all her belongings in the room except for her weapons pouch that she tied to her thigh; she also removed her scratched Hitai-ate and placed it into her bag for safekeeping. She stepped out onto the street and began to take a leisurely stroll down the street, looking for any shady looking bar where she might find Jiraiya.

Hoshiko knew she had found the right place when she heard a collection of delightful squeals from inside the bar. It wasn't a definite confirmation that Jiraiya was in there, but she would bet her life that it was indeed him. Hoshiko brushed aside the curtain and stepped into the smoggy, dim bar. It was quite full, seedy looking men occupied booths as women in scantily clad clothing walked around with trays of drinks and food. Hoshiko felt the sudden need to cover her eyes from the shock of it all. She would never understand the allure of this type of venue.

"Looking for work?" A woman said as she approached Hoshiko with a smile. Hoshiko jerked back, scowling at the woman.

"What? No! I'm meeting someone here." Hoshiko clarified as the woman clicked her tongue. The woman's hazel eyes gave her a quick once over.

"Honey, if you're meeting a man here, then he's the wrong man for you."

"It's not like that." Hoshiko snapped at her in retaliation. Another round of squeals erupted from the corner of the room. Hoshiko sent the woman who had been speaking to her an exasperated look and moved around her and towards the source of the laughter.

As she got closer she could hear the familiar deep chuckle of Jiraiya. A smile started to spread across Hoshiko's face as she stopped in front of the table; she saw Jiraiya flanked by two stunning (severely busty) women. Both were blonde haired and brown eyed and looked remarkably similar. Hoshiko thought that they must've either been twins or sisters.

It took a moment for Jiraiya and the women to realize that she was standing there. When the old man did, his eyes went wide as Hoshiko's smile turned into a smirk. "Jiraiya."

The white haired man chuckled and took a swig of his drink. He whispered something into each woman's ear as they giggled and strutted off in their ridiculously high heels. Jiraiya motioned for Hoshiko to take the seat opposite him. "So I was right in assuming that you grew up to be beautiful."

Hoshiko felt her cheeks flush slightly at his compliment. She rolled her eyes at him and then poured herself a drink from his sake bottle that was on the table. "And you're still as perverted as ever I see."

"That's never gonna change." Jiraiya said with a grin. Hoshiko watched as Jiraiya's eyes studied her face, neck and upper body. It wasn't with bad intentions; this was the first time he was properly seeing her in four years. The last time they had seen each other, Hoshiko had been using a disguise. Hoshiko tipped her head back and drank the sake.

"And you're even drinking too. My my, you have changed from that little girl I knew way back when." Jiraiya winked at her teasingly.

Hoshiko placed it back down on the table and twirled the little cup in her fingers. She furrowed her brows and ignored the burning taste she had in her mouth from the alcohol. "A lot has happened. I'm not that girl anymore."

Hoshiko raised the cup back up to her lips. Jiraiya's expression changed, but she missed it because the cup was in her way. "I'll say. So when were you going to tell me that you are apart of the Akatsuki?"

Hoshiko choked on the liquid and spat it out. Some of the sake even came out of her nose. She slammed the cup down and leaned towards him, her eyes fearfully wide. "I can explain!"

Jiraiya gave her a stern look and folded his arms over his chest. "I would hope so."

Hoshiko rubbed her forehead with her fingers and leant onto the table. "How did you find out?" She asked him, bewildered.

"Who do you think? Danzo." Jiraiya told her with a pointed look.

Hoshiko sighed and then flung herself back into the chair. She knew that the attack on her was going to come back and bite her in the ass. Someone from the Root team that he had sent must have slipped away or survived. She could feel Jiraiya's stare on her as she met his dark eyes.

"I wanted to tell you. I was coming here to tell you before you found out on your own, I swear it." Hoshiko tried to make herself look as sincere as possible. She couldn't believe it. Jiraiya knew, and he wasn't attacking her straight away.

"Just what the hell are you thinking? You do realize who these people are, right?" Hoshiko shook her head at him in disbelief. She was trying to wrap her head around the fact that Danzo had finally spilled the beans on her. She focused on Jiraiya's question.

"Of course I know who they are, but where else could I go? I couldn't go home," Hoshiko said the word 'home' with distrust in her voice, "Danzo would've had me killed in a second. I couldn't go to any of the other villages because, again, Danzo would've had me killed." Hoshiko took a moment to catch her breath and gauge Jiraiya's reaction. "I needed answers, Jiraiya, and the only way I could get them was if I joined them."

"What answers?" Jiraiya questioned, his eyebrow raising.

Hoshiko bit down on her bottom lip nervously, and then bowed her head. "I can't say. It isn't my place."

Jiraiya hardened his stare at her. "Anything to do with the fact that Danzo is telling us all that you and the Uchiha planned the whole massacre together?"

"What?" Hoshiko cried out in disbelief. She realized that she had said it quiet loud in the bar and lowered her voice immediately. "I had nothing to do with it. He's making it up."

"Is he?" Jiraiya asked seriously. His tone of voice had changed drastically. Hoshiko had never heard him like this before. She wanted to be hurt at his accusations, but she knew that he had every right to be angry with her. "See it from our perspective, Hoshiko. You were close with Itachi; you disappeared the same night as he did. You came back to Konoha and then a few days later so did he. Now you're both seen as partners in the Akatsuki."

Hoshiko swallowed the thick lump that she had in her throat. "I know what it looks like, but I swear to you, on my mothers life that I had nothing to do with that." Hoshiko held Jiraiya's gaze for a long moment. She felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny but held her ground. "If I had done those things, then why would I come here to see you? Why would I risk it all? If any of them ever found out that I was speaking to you I would be dead faster then I could blink."

Jiraiya still looked furious. It was only after a couple more seconds that his composure broke and he smirked down at her. "I know you're a good kid, Hoshiko. I just had to ask."

"You believe me?" Hoshiko asked in disbelief.

Jiraiya nodded. "Of course. I saw what you were like after Ren and Aishi were killed. And all those months I spent with you in Hanabira, you never gave me the 'serial killer' vibe." Hoshiko slouched back into her chair in relief. "But not everyone will see it how I do. By now Tsunade has updated the Bingo Books with your name in it. She's branded you an official Missing-nin and co-conspirator in the Uchiha Massacre."

"Fuck." Hoshiko hissed, rubbing her hands down her face. A thought suddenly struck her as her head snapped up. "Fuck. Sasuke."

"What about him?" Jiraiya asked dumbly, pouring himself another cup.

"He'll know I'm alive." Hoshiko muttered, holding her head. "He'll know that I didn't come back for him. He'll think that I killed his parents…he's gonna hate me."

Jiraiya tossed the drink back and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "He left the village before the news got out. Chances are he might not know yet. All depends on if Orochimaru tells him or not."

Hoshiko felt tears prick at the corner of her eyes. This was all going to shit. She had wanted to stay hidden—or dead really. Danzo was ruining it all over again. Hoshiko clamped her eyes shut, willing her tears to go away. She felt something nudge her arm and opened her eyes a fraction. She saw Jiraiya pushing a newly poured cup of sake into her. She accepted the offered drink and tossed it back. Not caring that she was feeling the effects already.

"Do I even wanna ask about the Uchiha?" Jiraiya muttered.

Hoshiko let out an almighty sigh and hung her head. "It's complicated. And I can't talk about it, not yet anyway."

"Must be some friendship." Jiraiya said sarcastically to her.

Hoshiko pointed her index finger at the white haired man. "Hey, you can't berate me for my connection with Itachi right now. You are the one who spent years trying to track your old buddy Orochimaru. Who, by the way, has probably done equally or even worse things than Itachi has done."

Jiraiya smirked. "So you're defending him now? Oho, that's a change from wanting to kill him in revenge."

"I—ah—um—I'm not defending him!" Hoshiko snapped, slamming her hand down on the table and causing the bottle and cups to jostle.

Jiraiya winked playfully. "And now you're in denial."

"Whatever." Hoshiko said flippantly. "I don't care about him. He could drop dead tomorrow and I wouldn't bat an eye about it."

"Really?"

"Really." Hoshiko said firmly. Jiraiya kept smirking at her as Hoshiko grit her teeth and glared at him. "I hate you right now."

They had spoken for a little while longer, but soon, Hoshiko realized that she needed to go. They needed to go their separate ways, before someone recognized them both. Now that she was going to be added into the Bingo Book she needed to be more vigilant. And it wouldn't bode well if Jiraiya was spotted with an Akatsuki member, and Hoshiko knew that she'd have her neck slit if Pein found out she was meeting with him. So all too soon Hoshiko finished off the last of her sake and sent Jiraiya a weak smile.

"I plan to try and divert them from you and your Jinchuuriki student for as long as I can. Keep moving around the country, and don't stay in one place for too long."

"We wont." Jiraiya said with a confirmation nod.

Hoshiko stood up from the booth. "I'll send letters when I can about their movements and who might be coming after you. The people in Akatsuki are powerful and dangerous, even I know not to piss some of them off."

Jiraiya laughed at her. "You said 'some', so that mean you piss off a few all the time then?"

Hoshiko looked down at him smugly. "Of course. Just because they're criminals doesn't mean I can't annoy the shit out of them. Makes it all that much more exciting."

Jiraiya shook his head at her aloofness. He gave it a moment before speaking again. "You be careful, alright? It was one thing the have Danzo on your back but now you'll be surrounded by all these crazy—"

"Jiraiya." Hoshiko cut in. She smiled down at him. "Thank you for looking out for me. I know if it wasn't for your letters I wouldn't have made it this far." Hoshiko rubbed at her arm. She wasn't used to being the mushy type. "I know I chose to be alone, and to keep myself hidden, but knowing that you were thinking about me and looking out for me…it made me feel like…I had some sort of purpose in this world—how ever small."

Jiraiya waved his hand at her. "Stop it, you'll make me blush."

Hoshiko didn't want to say anything more heartfelt. She had reached her quota for the year in that department already. She gave Jiraiya a tiny wave and then wobbled slightly from the alcohol as she spun on her heel. She took a step but spun back around when a thought struck her.

"Oh, I forgot! I ended up reading your book."

Jiraiya gave her a seedy look as he rubbed his hands together. "Oh, and what did you think? Was it a masterpiece? A beautifully written, dramatic piece of art?"

"You're a shitting pervert, that's what you are." Hoshiko said, deadpan.

"I'll take it!" Jiraiya exclaimed boisterously. As he met her gaze for the final time, he had a little twinkle in his eye. "Remind me, next time we meet I'll give you another book to read. It's one of my older works, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"Sure." Hoshiko remarked sarcastically.

She tossed a wave over her shoulder just as a blur of orange, blue and yellow came streaking passed her. "Ero-sennin!" The boy screeched at the top of his lungs. Hoshiko glanced over her shoulder at the familiar faced kid screaming at his master for being in a bar when he should've been training him. Hoshiko couldn't help but laugh as she left the bar and headed back towards the inn, a smile on her face the whole way back.

Hoshiko stood in a place that she thought she would never see again. It was the Naka waterfall in Konoha. It was night, the full moon hanging above her. It looked eerily large and extremely brighter than usual. Wind blew heavily around her, tossing her loose black hair around her face as she tried to pin it back with her fingers. She could feel the spray of the waterfall hitting her face, it felt refreshing, but also sent a chill down her spine. This place had a new meaning to her, as this was where she had seen Shisui plunge to his death in Itachi's memories.

Wind blew around her again, and Hoshiko tugged at the sleeves of her long sleeved shirt. She wore her long black trousers, and shin high ninja boots. She didn't have her weapons pouch on her. But this was a dream…nothing could hurt her in her dreams.

"Nothing can hurt you?" A voice said from behind. Hoshiko gasped and whirled around. Stood before her was Danzo—the man that haunted her dreams constantly. The air got stuck in her throat for a moment as she shut her eyes.

"It's dream. You can't hurt me. I'll wake up soon." She told herself over and over. She had had this dream before many times. Danzo would walk towards her, she would be frozen to the ground and then he would stab her with a sword, and then she would wake up.

"What if I'm not planning on hurting you, but them?" Danzo said threateningly. With her eyes still closed, Hoshiko frowned at his words. She didn't know what he meant. He was deviating from the nightmare. "Open your eyes, Tenshi."

With the use of the name that Danzo used to call her while she was in Root, Hoshiko's eyes sprung open in fear. She choked on her breath when she saw two figures in front of her.

"No." She took a step back, shaking her head. Danzo was standing slightly behind them. A grown up Itachi was on his left, and a sixteen-year-old Shisui was on his right. Both were on their knees, their dark eyes staring up at Hoshiko pleadingly.

"Choose." Danzo barked at her. He pulled a long, familiar sword out from behind his back.

"No." Hoshiko muttered. Her eyes were flicking between Shisui and Itachi. Both made her heart ache terribly. Shisui, he looked so young and scared. He wanted her to save him. She needed to pick him. She could save him this time. He wouldn't have to die.

"Choose one, or they both die."

"Just kill me instead!" Hoshiko cried out. "Leave them alone and take me!"

Danzo shook his head at her. "It doesn't work like that. Last chance. Choose Shisui or Itachi or they both die."

"I can't!" Hoshiko sobbed. Danzo raised his sword. "Wait!" Hoshiko screamed, holding her hands up. "I'll choose!"

Danzo lowered the sword back down and waited for her to make her move. Hoshiko looked between the boys once more. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was about to jump out of her chest.

She took a tentative step towards Shisui, and then another. She could save him this time. She wouldn't let him die. She could see the relief on his face as she was walking towards him.

"Hoshiko."

She stopped walking. Itachi had called out to her, his voice quiet but pleading. She turned to face him. Tears were pooling in his dark eyes, one leaked out and dripped down his cheek.

"Save me."

Hoshiko couldn't choose. She held her head, shaking it. "No, this is a dream. It's not real. It's not real!"

"Oh but it is real." Danzo growled at her. "You let them both die." In one fluid motion, Danzo struck out with his sword and impaled Itachi through the chest. He wrenched it out and stuck Shisui with it as both boys collapsed to the floor in a heap. Blood pooled around them, dark and red. It stained the grass, as Hoshiko couldn't tear her eyes away from them.

"You can't protect anyone, Hoshiko."

A scream came out of her mouth as Hoshiko sat up in her bed. Her chest was heaving, her body dripping in sweat and she could taste blood in her mouth from where she had been biting down on her lip during her nightmare. She held her head. She was safe. Danzo wasn't here. She wasn't in Konoha. She was still in Kuen. She was safe.

Soon, her heartbeat calmed down, and her breathed evened out. Hoshiko fell back against her pillows and tossed her arm across her eyes. That had been the worst nightmare she had ever had. It had been so vivid, so painfully real that she had almost believed it. Just thinking about the nightmare had tears springing to her eyes as they leaked out, dripping down onto the pillow under her head.

"It wasn't real." She whispered to herself.

Knock, knock.

Hoshiko sat up again. Who the hell would be at her door at this time of night? Was it Jiraiya? Hoshiko checked with her chakra senses. Her blood suddenly ran icy cold. "No fucking way." Hoshiko growled as she threw the covers off herself and stormed over to the door.

She wrenched it open, not caring that all she had on was a shirt and underwear and a tear stained face. "You've got to be kidding me." She said.

Itachi didn't reply, he just stared down at her with his piercing onyx eyes.

i am so sorry for not updating last week. ive honestly had the week from hell. i had issues at work with a coworker. i had personal issues on top of that so i was just not a fun person to be around and so it took me forever to actually want to sit down and write again. anyway, things are looking up somewhat. i wanna thank you all for reading, alerting, reviewing. it honestly made my shitty week a lot better when i got to read what you all thought of the chapter. sorry if this one isnt as great im still trying to get into the groove

REPLIES

Kris XD - aha we shall see next chapter what happens with these two! man it was so much fun to torture him last chapter hahaha thank you!

Lotus48 - man hoshiko finding out. killed me too. i mean not only did he choose to want to die by sasuke but the guy was dying anyway? talk about a rough life. anyway we shall see what happens with him lol hahaha itachi struggling was so much fun to write, can't wait to do it for hoshiko ;)

sHiZoooo - hahahaha this review gave me a much needed laugh so thank you! i want to scream at tsunade and kakashi too but we'll see what happens down the line with them!

Janeth16 - Thank you! I'll try and give little snippets of Konoha again but i think that was it until we get into canon when hoshiko will be interacting with the timeline a bit more. thank you!

Doodlebugs - hahaha don't worry! I am guilty of it sometimes too when i come across a story that i really really love! xD im actually dreading sasuke cause i have a few drafts of what to do for their reunion so i dont wanna screw it up cause i love their relationship so much when they were younger but anyway ahhh jiraiya was back in this one. and kakashi will happen again soon-ish danzo will get what is coming, promise lol

andresskorskiruiz - thank you!

Nostalgic29. - Aw thank you! i got hurt writing hoshiko crying over itachi. these two just hurt me all the damn time. i cant wait for them to stop being so stupid lol thank you for your review, it means a lot to me!

MK - I do have something up my sleeve. its my arm...(ill see myself out) but really i have promised you all a happy ending and i will deliver...eventually. lol dont kill me.

cantleavethisempty - thanks for reading!

Guest - Thank you! sorry it took me a lil longer but hope you enjoyed!

Tomato - no pressure to review but thank you so much! glad youre still around and enjoying it! Thank you so much and i hoped you liked the jiraiya part, he's a fave of mine to write! thank you! see you later!