Chapter 2: Shot to the Heart

Naruto, Sakura, and I stood together, grinning, while Kakashi looked at us incredulously. "I never thought this would be my reason for losing," he said. "I should've just gone ahead and finished the book." He glanced at Naruto. "But how can you even read such a boring book?" Naruto laughed in response. "Huh?"

"The Pervy Sage loaned it to me, but it was so boring I didn't even make it ten pages," said Naruto. "So, of course, I don't know how the book ends."

"He made it up," I said.

"Even without Naruto knowing the ending of the book, we figured you'd respond if we mentioned the name, 'Make-Out Tactics.' Pretty good strategy, huh?"

"You two certainly showed me some growth," Tsunade said, emerging from the bushes with Shizune. I had sensed them watching us earlier but did not want to distract my teammates by mentioning it.

Sakura gasped. "My lady!"

"Kakashi, do you have something to say?"

"Well, they did a great job taking the bells away from me, so yes," said Kakashi.

"What're you talking about?" said Naruto.

"We're talking about your status for the future," said Tsunade.

"Our status?" I said.

"Naruto Uzumaki!" Tsunade said very formally.

"Huh?"

"Answer me."

"Y-Yeah!"

"Sakura Haruno!"

"Yes!" said Sakura.

"Katsumi Nishioko!"

"Yes," I said.

"The three of you and Kakashi Hatake... The four of you shall form Team Kakashi!"

"Team Kakashi?" said Naruto. "S-Say, what does that mean?"

"The three of you will form a team with me, and we'll carry out missions together," Kakashi said. "That's what this means. It's not like the old days. We're no longer teacher and students. We will work together as equal Leaf Shinobi. Got it?"

"Sure!" said Sakura.

"I got it!" said Naruto.

"Yep," I said. It all sounded pretty good to me.

With that settled, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and I headed back to the vilalge. "Gee, you guys sure got strong," Kakashi said while we walked. "I never thought you'd really be able to get the bells."

"We're pretty clever too," I said.

"I just might've surpassed you, Kakashi Sensei," said Naruto.

"Why're you talking all big?" said Sakura.

"Well, but I'm still pretty young, you see the other day I developed an incredible new jutsu, and it's pretty incredible, you see." Naruto stopped inhis tracks, looking at something in the distance. "Oh, that's right. I haven't had any Ichiraku ramen since I got back!"

"Oh, I'm also pretty hungry from all that training exercise since yesterday."

"Then let's eat," I said.

Naruto grinned. "All right! Let's make a beeline for Ichiraku Ramen!"

"Right!" said Sakura.

"It's my first Ichiraku ramen in ages!"

"It'll be Kakashi Sensei's treat!"

Naruto turned around to face him. "Kakashi sensei!"

Kakashi blinked. "Huh?"

"It's been settled that you're going to treat us to some ramen!" said Sakura.

"Hurry up!" said Naruto.

"If you want," I added.

"Sorry, guys!" Kakashi said, smiling apologetically. "I have to create and turn in the unit list for the new team! See you." Then he poofed away.

I blinked. "That was fast."

"He ran away!" Naruto exclaimed.

"He said something about a unit list, but he's probably just wondering what happens next in his book," said Sakura.

Naruto turned to Sakura. "Then how about we go on a date, just the two of us?"

Sakura shrugged. "That's fine. But you're treating."

Naruto's smile fell. "Oh, uh, I don't think I have enough for that." Sakura rolled her eyes and walked away. "You could at least pay for half of the ramen!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'll go with you, Naurto. As friends."

Naruto brightened. "Okay!" We immediately headed for the ramen shop. He brightened as soon at it was in sight. We walked inside, and he looked around. "Ichiraku hasn't changed a bit! Mmm... This aroma It's whetting my appetite." He took a seat, and I sat down beside him. "All right!"

"Hiya!" said Teuchi. "Welcome!"

"Old man. Do you remember me?"

"Naruto. It's you, isn't it, Naruto?" Teuchi smiled at him. "No way could I forget you! Long time no see! And Katsumi too."

"Hi," I said, waving.

Ayame turned around and looked at us. "Huh? Naruto? You sure got big!"

Naruto grinned. "Long time no see, miss!"

"What'll you have?" said Teuchi. "You're hungry, right?"

"Yeah, I'm starved!"

"All right then, today it's on me. Order whatever you like! You too, Katsumi."

"All right!"

"Thanks!" I said.

"No, It's on me today," said Iruka, stepping into the shop. "I knew you'd be here, Naruto!"

Naruto gasped. "Iruka Sensei!"

Iruka smiled. "Hello, you two. Sakura isn't with you?"

"If I'd known you were going to treat, I'd have brought Sakura, too."

"Maybe some other time," I said.

It did not take Teuchi long to place a large bowl of ramen in front of Naruto. "Here's an extra-large special serving of our ramen!"

Naruto stared at the ramen in excitement. "It's the real-deal Ichiraku ramen I dreamed about this ramen so many times during my training!"

"Now, eat up before it gets cold!"

"Right. Thank you!"

"And here's yours, Katsumi," Ayame said, giving me a bowl of ramen.

"Thank you," I said.

"We haven't seen you here in awhile either."

"Yeah, I had some... issues..."

"We heard you were kidnapped," Teuchi said sympathetically. "We're glad you're alright."

"It was the Akatsuki, right?" said Iruka. "How are you recovering?"

"I'm fine," I said, not really wanting to talk about it. "Yeah, it will take some time to get back to normal, but I'll be alright."

"Don't worry, Iruka sensei," Naruto said. "I'll look after her."

Iruka smiled. "I'm not worried about either of you. I know you'll both accomplish your goals."

I wondered if he would say that if he knew the nature of my goals. He was quite understanding, so maybe he would approve. He had helped teach me about friendship, after all. Still, I felt it best to share my goal of saving my wayward friends with as few people as possible. I let Naruto and Iruka catch up while I focused on my ramen.

Bright sunlight woke me up. "Five more minutes," I groaned, rolling over and placing my pillow over my head.

"Get up," Kotaro ordered. "You are receiving your first mission today. You cannot be late."

"Fine." I did not mind being late to training - especially since Kakashi was always late - but even I understood the importance of getting an early start of missions. I got up and quickly readied myself for the day.

The only person in the kitchen when I arrived was Kotaro. I took the food he gave me without question. I felt him watch me while I ate, which made me uncomfortable. We were polite to each other since I returned, but that did not mean we got along.

"I hope you're ready," Kotaro said. "I understand you went through a lot, but it is time you move on."

"If you mean focus on my duty here, I'll do the best I can," I said, "but I cannot forget everything I've learned recently. There are things I need to do."

"What you need to do is think about how you can help the Leaf Village."

"I care about the Leaf Village, but my friends are more important."

Kotaro sighed, shaking his head. "I will never understand how you work."

"I don't expect you to. Just accept it." I finished eating and left the house. I found Naruto and Sakura easily, but we still had to wait a bit for Kakashi to show up. Finally, we set off for the Hokage's office.

"It's sure been a long time since I've been on a mission," Naruto said. "I'm so excited!"

"Naruto, accept the mission without complaint, no matter what we're ordered to do," said Sakura.

"I know!"

I stopped when we arrived at the Hokage's building. "Hey, do you mind if I summon Kiku?" I asked. "I told her she could join me on my first mission."

"Go right ahead," said Kakashi.

"Yeah, it would be good to see her again!" said Naruto.

"She is a nice cat," Sakura agreed. "She could be useful in whatever we are doing."

I smiled. "Great." I bent down and performed the summon ritual. A calico cat wearing a forehead protector appeared in a puff of smoke. "Hey, Kiku!"

"Katsumi!" Kiku said happily. "What's going on? I hope there's no trouble."

"None at all. I'm just getting ready to receive my first mission with my new team. See?" I motioned to my friends behind me.

Kiku peered at them. "Oh. Hi, guys!"

"Hi, Kiku," Naruto said.

Kiku swished her tail. "Let's find out what that mission is about."

"Yeah!"

The five of us entered the Hokage's building and found our way to Tsunade's office, where she waited for us with Shizune. She wasted no time in assigning us a mission. We were all accepting of it except for Naruto, of course.

"Whaaat?" he exclaimed. "A guard for gold bullion transport convoy?"

"Huh?" said Tsunade. She leaned forward on her desk. "You got a problem?"

"That's totally a C-rank mission! I'll just have to say no thanks to a mission like that."

"And here I just told him not to complain," Sakura said, shaking her head.

"Naruto, I gave you an easier mission since this is more or less a comeback for you and Katsumi," Tsunade explained.

"I didn't ask for this!" Naruto said.

"I-I'm sorry, my lady!" said Sakura. "I'll give him a good scolding later."

"The details of the mission are written here," said Tsunade, handing a piece of paper to Kakashi.

"Geez man, the old man Third Hokage was much more understanding," Naruto muttered.

"Did you say something?"

Sakura hit him on the head. "Hey!" he shouted.

"Knock it off!" Sakura said, glaring at him.

"Let's just get this over with," I said. "I'm sure we'll get an excutung mission if we complete this one successfully." And, to be honest, I was not looking forward to a lot of excitment just now.

"She's right, so deal with it!"

Suddenly, a ninja entered the room, clutching a piece of paper. "Th-There's trouble Fifth Hokage!"

"What's all the commotion?" Tsunade said, noticing the ninjas gathered outside the door before it was shut.

"We just received an emergency message from the Sand."

Tsunade immediately stood up. "Did you say an emergency message?"

My heartbeat picked up. "This doesn't sound good," I murmured.

"This is what we have deciphered," said the ninja, handing Tsunade the paper. She quickly scanned the contents.

"What?"

Tsunade's eyes widened. "Oh my god. It can't be."

"Hey, what happened?"

Tsunade lowered the paper to look at us with a grave expression. "The Kazekage of the Hidden Sand has been taken by members of the Akatsuki."

"Oh no, Gaara!" I cried.

"Those guys again, huh?" said Sakura.

"We have more information concerning the Akatsuki," said the ninja. He handed Tsunade more documents and then waited until she had read them. "And so, the Hidden Sand has officially requested our help." Tsunade looked at us.

"Lady Tsunade, don't tell me you're going to have Team Kakashi...?" Shizune said.

"This is a time of emergency," said Tsunade. "I can't be wasting time on personnel selection. And besides, we've got two people here who's actually fought against the Akatsuki - one of whom lived with them."

"I understand that, but-"

"I will now issue Team Kakashi a new mission. Go to the Village Hidden in the Sand immediately. Find out what's going on and report back to the Leaf. After that, you will follow the orders of the Hidden Sand and provide them with back-up!"

"Right," said Kakashi.

"Wait!" I shouted, my heart pounding now. "Who attacked Gaara?"

"Katsumi, no one knows their names except you," said Tsunade, appearing exasperated.

"Is there a description of the jutsu used?" My heart rate accelerated when she did not respond. "Please, we need to know what we're up against. And I need to know who-" I swallowed hard.

"If you don't tell her, she will assume the worst," Kiku said.

"It's not Itachi," Tsunade said at last. "It says the village was attacked with... clay bombs."

Suddenly I felt numb. I stumbled backwards. "No..." I whispered. "That's Deidara." A searing pain in my heart caused me to clench my teeth. "No!" I moved all the way back until I was against the wall. Then I slid down and wrapped my arms around my knees.

"Katsumi?" Kiku said tentatively.

Everything hurt. I brought my chin to my knees and clutched my head instead. "No, no, no..." It wasn't supposed to happen this way. I knew this was a possibility, but I thought I would have more time. I thought I would be able to come up with a plan for the next time we met.

"Kakashi, what is going on?" said Tsunade.

"Deidara is the Akatsuki member she is closest to," Kiku explained.

"Closer than Itachi?"

"Yeah..."

I swallowed hard. I did not know how to get rid of this overwhelming pain. I did not care if I was breaking down in front of the Hokage and my team. All I wanted to was for everything to stop. "I - I never even got a chance to save him. How am I supposed to fight him? How can I do anything for him if we're on opposite sides?" I shut my eyes when my vision blurred.

"It is not too late," Naruto said. "You can still save him."

"What?" I lifted my head and looked at him through watery eyes.

"You need to go up to him and show him why what he's done is wrong! You have to make him face the truth and give him a chance to make it right. That is what I would do if it was Sasuke. And don't worry. I'll be there right with you."

"You promise?" I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling calmer now. "I need you, Naruto."

Naruto nodded, a determined look on his face. "Yeah, I promise."

I wiped my eyes and stood up. "Thank you." I turned to Tsunade. Thankfully, the other ninja had left. "I'm sorry about that. I'm ready for the mission now."

"Are you sure?" said Tsunade. "Clearly, you have an attachment to this guy. We can't afford for you to be a liability."

I shook my head. "No, my presence will help. We have a better chance of beating Deidara if I'm there. He would never hurt me, and that gives some protection to my team."

Tsunade looked at me with a critical eye. "Are you sure about that? He's a member of the Akatsuki. Surely he won't let anything get in the way of his goals."

"You presume to know his goals," Kiku said, sauntering over to the desk. "Let me explain." She hopped onto the desk so she could look at Tsunade. "I told you I was not positive Itachi would not hurt Katsumi, right?"

"Yes..."

"That is because he has an overarching goal that he would do anything to achieve. He would prefer not to harm loved ones, but clearly he's capable of it. Deidara is different. He doesn't have a goal like that. He's in the Akatsuki more for fun than anything. That's why he can prioritize Katsumi above anything else. In fact, I'd say protecting her has become his goal. That is why you can be assured he won't hurt her."

Tsunade folded her hands on her desk and rested her chin on them. "I still fail to see why he would go so far for her." She paused. "Is he in love with her?"

"Yes."

"Kiku!" I said.

Kiku glanced back at me. "What? I didn't say anything about you."

"Katsumi, are you in love with him?" Tsunade asked me with a piercing gaze.

Kiku smiled sheepishly. "Oops."

Well, there was no use denying it now. Before I could respond, Sakura said, "My lady, if I may, I do not believe Katsumi will let her feelings get in the way of making good decisions. She has proven that she will defend others against an aggressor who is either a friend or foe."

I gave her a grateful smile. "Exactly," I said. "I am not going to let anyone hurt my team. But I also will not let Deidara get hurt if he is not the one attacking. And why should I? Surely we could gain more useful information from him if he brought him back alive."

"Capture would be ideal," Tsunade agreed.

I took a deep breath. "I am asking you for something more. I think it would be extremely difficult to either capture or kill Deidara. However, I believe I can convince him to come with us willingly if there is a chance he could leave a normal life."

"From what I know about the Akatsuki and Katsumi, I agree," Kakashi said. "I believe you should give her that chance."

"Very well," said Tsunade. "If it does not hinder the mission or put anyone in danger, you have my permission to offer him sanctuary in return for information. There is no need to put any of you in danger by fighting an Akatsuki member if the situation can be resolved peacefully."

I let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"

She nodded. "Now go!"