Chapter 4
Truth
Word spread like wildfire through the Hidden Leaf that the 10 tail Dragon Jinchuriki was now living at the Hidden Leaf. Akina swore it was Ino. But come to find out one of the villagers sent the report and one of the ninjas let it spill. Akina wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out with the looks she got from the people of the leaf. Just what she needed. Her friends against her and now the village.
'I Knew keeping this hidden was a mistake.' Akina said as she stood in front of Tsunade's desk with Team 10 behind her. Shikamaru saw the tension in Akina's body as she rubbed her hands together as Tsunade stared her down. Sakura and Shizune stood on either side of her.
"I thought I told you NOT to use the 10 tails less it was an emergency." Tsunade said.
"It kind of was. We were all down and Shikamaru was about to be attacked. I wasn't gonna sit around. No one but the enemy was injured." Akina said.
"She's right." Shizune said. Tsunade said.
"Now the whole village knows The Elders are not going to take kindly to this." Tsunade said.
"Lady Hokage." Tsunade looked at Shikamaru. "You would of had to tell us eventually. I agree that it shouldn't have been kept hidden, but Akina should of at least told her friends." Shikamaru wasn't thrilled how he found out and how Akina wanted to tell them but couldn't.
"I see that now and..." The door opened. Akina and her friends turn. Donzo stood in front of the two old people. Akina lowered her eyes at Donzo. She had never met Koharu and Homuru, but she knew Donzo and she didn't like him at all. She knew he had it out for her mother. Tsunade didn't look happy. Shikamaru grabbed Akina's arm and pulled her closer to him and the others as the Elders pass. Donzo had his eye still bandaged and his arm wrapped up in a sling. Akina wondered what he was hiding under there. She heard rumors, but she didn't believe them.
"So its true then that she used the 10 tails Chakra." Donzo said. Mushu growled. Akina laid her hand on her stomach where the seal was.
'Settle Mushu.' Akina thought. She lowered her hand. Mushu laid back down.
'Let me know if I can come out and eat him.' Mushu said. Akina had to bite her lip to stop from smiling.
'Mom would be more angry if you did. Or I would gladly let you.' Akina thought.
"She said she wouldn't tell anyone." Homuru said. Akina glared.
"We still don't know if she can control it." Koharu said. Akina laughed. The Elders turned on her.
"I've had control over the dragon since I was 7. I got him when I was five and just for your information. He chose me. I wasn't forced. I had full control today. He just helped." Akina said.
"She's right." Ino said.
"And you three witnessed?" Homuru asked. The trio nodded. Tsunade was very impressed with her daughter. She had a lot Tsunade in her.
"I think we should still send her back to the Hidden Stone." Donzo said. Akina's eyes widen. Shikamaru pushed her behind him and Ino and Choji got on either side. Shikamaru kept her hand in his hand. Akina blushed lightly.
"She's staying here." Choji said.
"She's to dangerous to keep here." Koharu said.
"And she's as wanted as the other tailed beasts cause of her strength." Donzo snapped.
"I'm not going there. There's nothing there for me anymore." Akina said.
"You have..." The door opened. Everyone turned. Akina's eyes widen. Her friends stepped in. Hinata, TenTen, Nenji, Lee, Kiba, and Shino stepped in. Sakura stepped away and came to join Team 10 and Akina. Asuma stepped in.
"Sensi?" Ino asked. Asuma smiled as Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji's dads comes in as well.
"What is this?" Donzo said. Tsunade stood up.
"Shikaku what is this?" Tsunade said.
"We heard that you might be sending Akina home." Neji said.
"How did you find out?" Donzo asked.
"I might of spread it to her friends cause you were considering it if she messed up, but she did it in an emergency to protect her friends." Tsunade said with a smirk on her face. Akina smiled softly as all her friends surrounded her.
"She's not going anywhere." Shikaku said. His two friends nodded in agreement. Donzo didn't look happy. Asuma stood holding a cigerette.
"I bet you weren't expecting this were you, Donzo. Let the girl stay. She made good friends here." Asuma said.
"So what will it be?" Tsunade asked. Shikamaru didn't let her hand go. His dad noticed as he saw all her friends around Akina.
"Fine the girl stays, but mark my words. She messes up once. I want her gone." Donzo said. The other two didn't seem happy, but nodded. The kids cheered and hugged Akina. The Elders went to leave.
"Wait a minute." The Elders turn to look at Tsunade who stood up. Akina stood with Sakura and Ino hugging her. "Since we are revealing secrets and I'm sure the kids would love to spread this. There's another secret the whole village will know starting now."
"What is it, My Lady?" Sakura asked.
"I think I know what it is." Akina said. Tsunade looked at everyone gathered.
"Everyone. I want to formally introduce you to my daughter, Akina." Tsunade said. Gasps from her friends came.
"Really?" Kiba asked.
"You serious?" TenTen asked.
"Yes. I was reckless before I became Hokage. I got pregnant on a one night stand and left her with her father to be raised. Now she's here." Tsunade said.
"I knew it." Shikaku said.
"You knew?" Shikamaru said.
"I noticed the first night you had her over for dinner. Her features were familiar. Just watching you two play Shoji and the serious look on Akina's face is defintly like Tsunade." Shikaku said.
"And she's good at Medical Ninja." Ino's father said.
"Plus she knows Woodstyle like the First Hokage." Choji said. Everyone's eyes widen as they look at Akina.
"Its true. I got Woodstyle like Great Grandpa." Akina said.
"She is gonna be one strong Ninja." Choji's father said. The Elders walked out. Akina didn't miss the glares she got. The friends head outside. The adults left as the kids swarm Akina with questions. Akina didn't explain much.
"Alright. Alright. Let her be. She'll answer when ready. Go spread the rumor who her mother is." Shikamaru said.
"I'm glad your staying, Akina." Hinata said. The others nodded.
"Thank you everyone. I mean it." Akina said. The others left except for Shikamaru. "Can we disappear for a bit? I like to tell you the story first before I tell the others."
"I would like that." Shikamaru said noticing villagers whispering about her and staring. "I know a place. Let's go." Shikamaru led the way as they headed away from the villagers. Ino and Sakura saw the two walking away.
"You think they will admit?" Sakura asked.
"I think both are stubborn to." Ino said.
Shikamaru led Akina to a spot on a hill that was covered in trees and a nice shade.
"I like to come here to get away." Shikamaru said, sitting down. Akina stared out at the village.
"It's a perfect spot, especially looking out at the Village." Akina said, sitting down and bringing her knees to her chest as Shikamaru laid out on his back.
"How did you get the ten tails." Shikamaru asked.
"He chose me." Akina said.
"What you mean?" Shikamaru asked. Akina laid back on her back and looked up at the sky.
"It was when I was around five." Akina began as she let herself fall into memories of the past.
Back when Akina was five.
A line of kids about five stood in front of the Tsuchikage headquarters. Akina stood with her best friend since they started school. The Tsuchikage's granddaughter, Iwagakure. Both were close.
"It's true. They are finding someone to be the next Jinchuriki of the Ten Tails." One of the kids said.
"Is that true?" Akina asked looking at Iwagakure.
"I heard father talking to Grandpa about it. The former Jinchuriki is on his last stage of life and the 10 tails wants to choose its next host. It doesn't want to be free and its safer to be in a host." Iwagakure said. A man walked with the Tsuchikage down the line of kids. Everyone went silent. The man looked at the kids. Akina studied him. He was battle worn and looked weiry. He also looked sickly.
Mushu kept silent as he kept his eyes closed. He sensed something was coming and he wanted a strong future Ninja to be his Jichuriki. None of these kids seemed strong. The man walked up to Akina and Mushu's eyes opened.
"Her." Mushu said. The man stopped and looked at the little girl with short purple hair. The girl looked up at the man with a surprised look.
"Her?" The man said. Akina's eyes widen when she realized he was talking to her.
"Akina? The daughter of Tsunade?" The old geezer said. Everyone looked at Akina.
"She's the daughter of the legendary sannin?" The Man asked. The Tsuchikage nodded.
"She's to be my next Jinchuriki." Mushu said.
"The ten tails wants her to be his next host." The man said. Everyone moved away from Akina. Akina bit her lip. It was a burden she knew was gonna be rough, but if the 10 tails Dragon wanted her then so be it. Akina bowed.
"I be honored." Akina said. The man gave a small smile and Mushu looked at the girl. He hoped he chose right.
Back to present.
"After that. The ten tails was transfered to me. Nights I wasn't training I was talking to him and getting to know him. Soon at 7 I had control over him and he was helping me with my training and I could use his Chakra. I wasn't able to do what I did today until I was twelve. I have earned his trust over the years. I guess it was fate that brought me to him." Akina said. Shikamaru looked at her with amazement. Naruto didn't have much control as she did. He didn't realize until recently he was starting to fall for her. But he was scared to ruin their friendship.
"I take it that's why Naruto was training with you." Shikamaru said.
"Yes. Jiraiya thought I could help. You should hear the arguements the two Tailed beasts have with each other. But the rage of the 9 tails still remains. He doesn't want Naruto in control or be used." Akina said.
"What a drag. I'm glad your staying." Shikamaru said. Akina looked at him and smiled.
"So am I." Akina said. The two soon started talking more and she told him about her training with the 10 Tails. Mushu couldn't help but smile. The truth was finally revealed. Now he didn't have to hide.
Later that day. Tsunade went looking for Akina.
"Lady Tsunade." Tsunade turned to see Shikaku walking towards her. "You haven't seen Shikamaru have you?"
"No and Akina is late to her training at hospital. They are probably together." Tsunade said.
"I know where Shikamaru likes to go when he wants to get away to sleep." Shikaku said. Shikaku led the way to where his son liked to go. He stopped at the sight he saw and smiled. Tsunade came and chuckled. Akina and Shikamaru were laying out under a tree. Both were facing each other as they slept peacefully. Their hands were intertwined. Like they reached out and grabbed hold in their sleep.
"She looks peaceful. I heard she had a hard life in the Hidden Stone. Not really accepted except by the granddaughter and grandson of the Tsuchikage. Here she is welcomed." Tsunade said.
"I have a feeling she might be more at home now that her and Shikamaru are getting close." Shikaku said.
"I wasn't expecting that when I had him as her escort. But I'm glad to see her happier then when she came to me." Tsunade said.
"You should of let her tell her friends or least Shikamaru. He would of kept it." Shikaku said.
"I know. But you know my hands were tied. Donzo doesn't trust her with her being my daughter." Tsunade said.
"Tsunade. You should have a guardian for her if anything happens to you. I don't trust Donzo." Shikaku said.
"You offering? She practically almost lives with you guys with how much she is over." Tsunade chuckled.
"I'm sure my wife be fine with it, but let me talk to her. I would have to seperate those two. I wonder if they will admit how they feel for each other." Shikaku said as the two walked away deciding to let them sleep and have the day off.
"Want to gamble on that?" Tsunade asked. She wouldn't miss a chance to gamble especially if its her own daughter. Shikaku couldn't help but smirk a bit.
"I think I could do that. They are good for each other." Shikaku said. Tsunade and Shikaka walked away talking about when their kids might together and betting.
An: You won't find out till they get together what their bets are lol. Might be soon. We'll see. Till next time.