Disclaimer: I own the OCs in this fic, the rest is Masashi Kishomoto's. Sorry for any spelling mistakes and sorry for the long wait.

Character age:

Akane, Itachi: 15

Naruto, Sasuke: 10

Shisui: 19

Kakashi: 24

So Sakura and Ino were not speaking to each other apparently. That was what Sakura told Naruto anyway, when she was sick of him asking her what was wrong. Sasuke couldn't care less as he ignored the girl as much as he could.

At least, it was what I heard through the door as I was watching TV, laying in my couch with food and soda. Gosh, the movie was so popular it was already on TV. I already knew the story of Princess Gale but dang it, it was as good as ever.

"The storyline is stupid." I jumped at Itachi's voice behind me and fell on the floor. Right, it was summer so the window was open. I slowly got up and glared at Itachi, who didn't even bat an eye. "The plot in itself doesn't take in account the principle of chakra."

"How do you know that? You've watched the movie?"

"Izumi wanted to," he admitted with a faint blush he failed to hide behind his high collar.

"Well, it's a movie anyway, who cares if it is faithful to the truth or not? What are you doing here by the way?"

"The Hokage asked me to get you immediately." I raised an eyebrow and noticed a bandage around his arm. It had clearly been done hastily and the brownish color of dried blood could be seen. Itachi noticed my look and turned away from me. "Just follow me Akane."

I went to tell the kids I was going out and that Sasuke was in charge, ignored Naruto's protests and left with Itachi. He was silent and holding his arm. I knew he was on a mission around the borders but it was rare of him to come back hurt. And from the road we were on, we were going to the hospital. I swallowed with difficulty, frowning at the ground. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and once I spotted the hospital in the distance, I felt sweat rolling down my back.

"Akane," Itachi called me when he glanced at me, "calm down, it's useless to stress that much already."

"Stop reading me like that..." I muttered under my breath. I caught a glimpse of his smirk before he turned his head away from me.

"You're too easy, it's not my fault." We entered the building and Itachi led me to a room. I went in it but he stayed behind. What was not my surprise to see Kakashi-san in a bed, with the Hokage and the Elders around him.

"Wh..." I started but the old geezers glared coldly at me. As I moved forward, I scanned Kakashi-san. He was conscious, but pretty beaten up.

"Kakashi's team encountered a team of Kiri ANBU and there was a fight," the Sandaime explained in a tired voice.

"Why don't you tell her what kind of ANBU they were Hiruzen?" the old woman snapped coldly at the Hokage, who barely shot her a look. "They were oinin looking for a missing nin in the country. Keeping her in the village is a declaration of war."

I clenched my fists and looked down. Guilt gained my body and I bite the inside of my cheek. She was right, but the Hokage knew what he was signing for when he allowed me to stay, didn't he?

"Akane-kun, I need to know how far the Mizukage can go with..."

"Mizukage-sama is not forgiving with traitors," I interrupted him with a hollow voice. "I had tried many times to escape before, he probably wants my head on a silver platter if he knows I'm alive."

"We need to get rid of her Hiruzen!" the old man cried. "We can't allow another war to break out!"

It only got worst. The rare moments I would see Itachi, he would be tired and often injured. Way too often for someone like him. Shisui was on edge and the police was a lot more on guards than usual. Sasuke was worried for his brother, so strong and yet so often wounded recently, Naruto was confused about why mom was jumping at every little noises or why I was distant. Let's just say that Christmas was not really fun. It was the only thing I could think of as I was training my Ice release with the fresh snow in the forest.

At least until someone appeared behind me. I turned around quickly, ready to attack, but Gai-san stopped me easily.

"Sorry," I apologized, stepping back.

"No need, the whole village is stressed right now. Anyway, I'm patrolling! Have you seen anything?"

I wanted to shake my head but I frowned when at least six presences could be felt around us. All of them with killing intent. Gai-san became serious and his body adopted a defensive position. I gulped and tried my best to keep my legs from shaking. So many killing intents at the same time...did I really become so used to the feeling of being in Konoha that I cannot handle a shinobi aura anymore?

No, that was not it...

It was when they showed themselves I understood my feeling. One of them had a huge sword on his back. A double sword.

Mangetsu huh...and the familiar chakra next to him...Dai...

Fuck, they were never meant to be ANBU!

"Run," Gai-san ordered me, and I did as I was told without looking back. Deep down, I would always be a coward I guess. But I...I don't want to go back! It is selfish, but I don't want to go back to this hell!

I ran as fast as I could, but was soon stopped by a kunai flying next to my face. I bent over, put my hands in the snow and kicked Dai with both of my feet, strong enough to send his mask flying in the air. He didn't fall back and shot me a surprised look at how strong my kicks were now. I got up and started running again, but was stopped by Mangetsu, who grabbed my arms to keep me in place.

"We don't have a lot of time so shut up and listen Uzu, got it?" he said in a deeper voice than I remembered him to have. I found myself nodding, my mouth opened but no sound was coming from it. And the more him and Dai talked, the more I was speechless. That...was... "You have to come back, got it? They won't let you alone now."

"I..."

"If aneki had any other choices, she would let you stay here. But funny enough, that place is the less safe for you now," Dai added with a certain sadness in his voice.

"I see..."

"We need you. More than the people here now."

I bite the inside of my cheek. No, you can't be selfish anymore Akane, you already died once, you have to...you have to do what is right! I need to...Naruto has mom, the Uchihas are alive and well and...

But Kiri rebellion? Can I really play the double agent like they want me to? How can I even gain Yagura's trust anyway?

Before I could answer properly, I was hit in the neck and fell in the snow. My vision faded to black as I was hearing the faint sound of footsteps coming this way, and my old teammates leaving quickly.

"As you can guess, this situation is getting worse." I nodded whereas the Hokage blew out smoke. "They broke into the village ground and now have proofs we have a missing-nin within the village."

"Have you heard from him?" I asked in an empty voice.

"Not yet, but it should not be long. As much as I want to fulfill Minato's and Kushina's wishes, I can not let your presence here endangers the villagers."

"Obviously."

"I will call you back if I hear anything from Kirigakure. Until then..."

"Alive or dead, I don't have much time left here Sandaime," I interrupted him, staring at my toes, "but I...I want to be sure mom and Naruto will be fine."

"You have my word," he promised me, staring straight into my eyes.

Later, as I was walking to my place, I changed path to go to the cemetery. I sat in front of my brother's grave, noticing flowers on it. I sighed softly, hugging my knees against my chest. I buried my head in between and felt something rolling down my cheek.

And another one.

Before I knew it, I was crying. I can't remember if I cried ever since I got here, but I was now. I wanted to be selfless, I wanted to do more for others but...but...

"I'm scared...I'm so scared oni-chan," I sobbed in the air, "I don't wanna die, I don't wanna go back there even if they need me..."

There are many others who could do the job better than me. I was fine with training again, but I don't know if I could handle the pressure of missions once again. If I could handle the pressure of an entire rebellion.

But I wouldn't be alone, right? And my presence here might doom everybody too.

My whole body froze when I felt someone behind me. I tried to stop my sobbing but failed. But Kakashi-san didn't say anything. He just stayed here until I stopped.

That night, I barely slept.

The idea of going back slowly sank in. It would have its advantages after all. I would see my team again, I would do something good and...and it's not as if mom would be alone, or Naruto. The Uchihas are fine and on relative good terms with the village so that's...good.

But would I survive? I'm a missing-nin technically, Yagura-sama...Obito will kill me.

No Akane, your presence here may bring war with Kirigakure, your...your village that you like it or not. You can't let an entire village full of people you know are good in the way of danger because you want to run away from there forever. I said, I vowed not to be useless this time goddammit!

"Nee-chan, can we come in?" Naruto asked me behind the door. I mumbled something and the door opened, revealing Sasuke and him. I raised an eyebrow at the various cakes Sasuke had with him. "We asked Sakura-chan what could cheer you up nee-chan, and she said food always makes girls better!"

"Mother told us of all the pastries you'd like," Sasuke added without glancing directly at me, an embarrassed flush on his cheeks.

I stared at them, dumbfounded.

"Nee...nee-chan?"

"I'm fine," I said in a hoarse voice, "just surprised. It's really sweet of you two."

"But I'm the best, I'm the one who thought of asking Sakura-chan!"

"Without my mother we..."

I watched them bickering between themselves and slowly stood up. I walked up to them and hugged them close to me. I put my face on their shoulders.

"Nee-chan, are you okay!?" Naruto yelled, hugging me as tight as he could, Sasuke patting me clumsily on the back.

"I love you both," I whispered in their ears. "No matter what, always remember I love you."

I felt Naruto starting to shake and he was soon a sobbing mess in my arms, saying he loved me too whereas Sasuke was blushing.

They were ten. They would not experience war now. Especially not because of me.

With that, I found a new resolve to play Kiri's game.

"I received words from the Mizukage himself," the Hokage told me when I entered his office. I took note of Hyuuga-sama and Fugaku-san in the room and took a deep breath, putting on the old mask I would always wear in front of Yagura-sama and in Kirigakure in general. "you are not considered a missing-nin, you were reported missing in action and you were said to be dead."

That I already knew from what Suigetsu had told me before.

"He accused Konoha of kidnapping on a Kirigakure jōnin and sequestration within the village walls. Therefore he sent many ANBU here, missing-nin hunters even and I do not know why. However, you were under the Yondaime's protection, and in his will he wrote down he wanted you to be a part of Konoha, and a Kage's will is unbreakable and shall be respected."

"But any person born in Kirigakure is property of Kirigakure," I recited automatically. I knew where this was going. "I've already prepared myself for this Sandaime-sama, when ?"

"In two days, at night, we will meet with Kirigakure at the border. I will be going, and so are Fugaku and Hiashi to give you back." I glanced at my wrist and gathered chakra in it, showing the confidentiality seal. It would not break.

"Sorry for the troubles," I said, raising my eyes to look at him.

"Don't, it was Minato's wishes and I could not go against it. It is a law and from the moment you were four, you were under Konoha's protection. We failed in that aspect years ago."

"If we give them Akane," Fugaku-san spoke for the first time and I was surprised to hear him say my first name, "then is there any certainties tensions will calm down?"

"The threat of a war probably, but there won't be any peace treaty."

"How do we know that agreeing to what he is asking is okay then? He could set up an ambush to kill you." Yeah, it was a possibility. But not right now.

"Sasaki," Hyuuga-sama called me, and I set my gaze on his harsh face, "you know the Mizukage."

"I would have agreed with Fugaku-san if it was not for the recent coup against him. Without the Swordsmen he won't do anything. He is heartless, but smart. He knows he won't stand a chance against any of the Five Nations without a new generation."

We all left soon enough. Hyuuga-sama would let Hinata know I was done being her sensei, after what, two years? Hopefully, the Hokage will find a replacement for my classes at the Academy, or he will cancel it, it is the end of the year after all. I have to say goodbye to Naruto and Sasuke, Itachi and Shisui...oh god, Shisui who hopefully won't feel too guilty about it.

And I have to tell mom.

I have to tell mom I'm going back to the very place her and dad ran away from.

"Mom," I said once Naruto was sound asleep in his room later that night, "I've seen the Hokage today."

"A...and?" she stuttered, stopping drying the plates.

"I...Mom, I'm going back." I whispered with a tint of worry in my voice. Not for me, but for her. And from the horrified expression on her face, I could only sighed in my mind. "Mom..."

The plate she had in her hands fell and broke in multiple piece. I kept staring at her, and bit my cheek when a trembling grin appeared on her lips.

"Oh would you look at that honey, what a klutz I am!" She exclaimed, crouching to pick up the pieces.

"Mom..." I called her, crouching next to her.

"Give me the broom, I don't want Naruto to hurt himself with it!"

"Mom stop it and look at me!" I snapped at her, grabbing her hand in the process. It was trembling, and so was her entire body now.

"I...I...not again..."

She took me in her arms, keeping me in a death grip as she was sobbing uncontrollably. I hugged her back, hoping Naruto would not wake up.

However, I could not cry. I did not know why, but the tears would not come. Maybe because I wanted to do something for the future, make it easier for when things will really get hard with the Akatsuki.

So I held my crying mother. For most of the night.

Another memory that would not leave my mind.

Itachi stopped at the entrance of the park, having already spotted Akane sitting on the swing. Her face was void of any emotion. He had not told her he knew she was from the Mist, but with the situation and his S-rank mission regarding the Hokage who was going to negotiate a truce with the Mizukage, he could not stay silent. Konoha had avoided a coup from his clan, but barely. Shisui and him were ready to put their entire clan under the Mangekyo to protect the village. So as a shinobi of the Leaf, he had to do everything he could to protect his village, his family.

Even if a possible threat was someone he came to consider as a close friend.

Itachi walked up to her, his hands in his pockets, and stood in front of her. Akane raised her brown eyes on him, dark circles prominent under them. She was tired, he noted, worried, meaning she knew of the situation to a certain extent.

"Let's go for a walk," he told her, turning his back to her. He heard the swing move slightly and she was next to him.

"You okay?" she ended up asking him after several minutes where none of them spoke. As they got close to the exit of the village, he stopped and faced her, his face grave. The street lights were making the situation even more tense.

"I know you're from the Mist Akane."

"Oh," she replied with dull eyes, "so what?"

"Are you, in any way, involved in the tensions between your village and Konoha?" he asked her, noting the twitching of her hand when he said 'your village'.

"What if I am? You're going to kill me?"

"Not if I'm not ordered to," Itachi answered coldly, his whole demeanor becoming stiffer like his ANBU self. "We may be friends, but I'm a shinobi of the Leaf and if you become too much of a threat, I won't hesitate. If your actions are responsible for the conflicts, then you have the responsibility to do something, no matter the price."

"Of course," she ironically said and then bite her bottom lip. "Good to hear where your priorities are Itachi."

"You're a missing-nin, leaving your village is already cowardly enough, don't bring innocent people down with you."

She opened her eyes wide, hurt flashing briefly through them and she put her hand down. Akane clenched her fist so hard her knuckles turned white.

"A...coward?" she repeated under her breath between clenched teeth. "That's...so ironic, you saying missing-nin are cowards, Uchiha."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he replied with a frown.

"Nothing."

"Hn." He closed his eyes and started to walk away. "And stay away from Sasuke."

He thought he heard her call him but he ignored it. Once he was far enough, he stopped in the middle of the road and looked up at the moon, shining in the sky.

Akane was a threat, a cause of tension so she had to do something. Nothing else mattered. Not the many times they met after a therapy session just to be in the presence of someone who knew what it was like. Not the joy he felt when she finally agreed to become friends. Not his brother who would call her 'nee-san'. Not the fun he had when teasing her. Not his clenched fists at his sides, or his heart beating painfully in his chest as if to tell him he made a mistake to leave her alone when it took so much time for them to be friends.

It did not matter that his first thought when he fully understood the situation was to plan something with Shisui to make sure she would be safe from danger.

Konoha was his duty. Konoha was his priority, even if it meant he would lose his friendship with Akane in the process.

Itachi and I had our conversation last night. Tonight I leave. I just left the Uchiha compound after Sasuke listened to my announcement silently. I said I was offered a job abroad and would not be here for a long time. When I was done, he nodded and thanked me for telling him before going to his room.

I found Kakashi-san quickly and from the look in his eye, he knew. But then, when did Kakashi-san not know?

I asked him to keep an eye on my family. I told him none of what he could have done would have stopped this, that he did not need to include me in his guilt.

Then I went to the Hyuugas. Hinata had tears in her eyes when she saw me, and I hugged her delicately and told her she would be a fine and brave kunoichi one day. She gave me a silver bracelet with lilac stones in it, bowed to me and thanked me. I kept my tears inside, touched by her gesture, and bowed to, nodding gravely to Ko who returned it with understanding.

I spent the rest of the day with Naruto, and the evening with mom. I was supposed to meet the Hokage at the gate at ten o'clock. It was nine. I went to my room and packed a bag with what I might need if I stayed alive, taking and sealing my diary of my old life multiple times. I sealed Hinata's gift too, so that it would not break.

In theory I should stay alive. If Mangetsu and Dai came and told me, it must mean they know I won't be killed. But with Yagura-sama...you can never be sure of anything. Maybe seeing my face will make him change his mind.

I went down and smiled weakly at my mom, who launched herself toward me and embraced me under Naruto's confused eyes.

"I love you honey," she whispered softly to my ear, running a hand in my hair.

"I love you too mom." I detached myself from her and went to my cousin. I knelt in front of him and put my hand in his blond hair. "Naruto, I'm leaving the village tonight." He widened his eyes in shock. "I was offered a job abroad I couldn't refuse. I don't know how long I will be gone, so be nice to mom, okay?"

"But...but you can't leave nee-chan!" he yelled with watery eyes. "You're my nee-chan, you can't leave until I'm Hokage!"

"Naruto..."

"NO! I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO 'TEBAYO!"

I circled his waist with my arms and hugged him tightly, letting him cry in my neck. His hands were clenched to my shirt.

"Naruto, if I'm not back by then, then become a great ninja so that I can proudly say you're my lil' bro."

"Nee...nee..." he kept sobbing against me. Mom took him away and I got up, giving them one last glance. They returned it. When I opened the door, I heard Naruto yelling to me to stay and mom keeping him from following me. I closed the door behind me, the door to the place I called home for the past three years almost.

I ran. I ran all the way to Shisui's, tears running down my cheeks. I didn't bother with the door and jumped to his window. He spotted me right away and let me in, noticing my wet cheeks.

"What's the matter?" he asked with concern lacing his voice. I sniffed and threw myself in his arms. He held me back instantly and rubbed circles on my back. "Akane, I hate seeing you like this..."

"So...sorry..." I cried. I moved back and dried my eyes and nose with a tissue he gave me. "Sorry for not telling you earlier too."

"Tell me what? You're scaring me."

"I'm going back in an hour. I don't have a choice. Sorry I didn't tell you before but you know the whole story and how I feel toward Kiri so I didn't have the courage to..."

"You're going back," he interrupted me with a long face. "You're...actually going back..."

He frowned and I felt anger radiating from his body.

"Shi..."

"What's going to happen to you?"

"I...don't know. Hopefully they won't kill me."

"Hopefully!?" he repeated loudly as if he didn't believe it. "Hopefully my ass!"

He started pacing for a few seconds and ended up passing his hands on his face, muttering to himself. But I caught that he 'was powerless'.

I quirked an eyebrow when he grabbed my shoulders and took a step closer to me. His eyes were looking straight into mine, searching for something, but there was nothing. I was a master at hiding my feelings when I wanted to, and there was no way I was letting Shisui know I was still afraid. Sad yes, but not afraid.

"You're ready to go back," he muttered. His hands went to my cheeks and he let his forehead fall against mine, "but I'm not."

"Shisui?" I said in a low voice, scared of where this was going.

"Akane, I need to...oh, fuck it!" He angrily pressed his lips against mine. I stiffened, my eyes going wide while his soft and warm lips were moving against mine. I wasn't responding and I don't think he was expecting me to. The simple fact I was not pushing him away was enough for him I think. Finally, he let go of my lips and looked down on my flushing face. "I'm in love with you, and I can't let you go without knowing it."

"S..."

"I don't expect anything from you Akane," he interrupted me softly, one of his thumb running on my bottom lip, "I just...needed it out of my system you know. I wanted to know just once how it was to kiss you." He moved back, his hands falling on his side as he turned his back on me. "Now go before I really try to keep you here."

I nodded and jumped out of the window. As I was making my way to oji-chan's rocky face, I put two fingers on my lips. It was...a weird feeling I was feeling. I mean, being physically almost sixteen meant hormones and everything, but more...if Itachi and I ended up in love, it was all because of Shisui. It was because he had asked Itachi to keep an eye on me that he bothered to show himself to me. And the only thing I really wanted to know when I first saw him when he was in the Akatsuki was if he was the one who killed Shisui, because I wasn't buying the suicide excuse.

I jumped of the rock and glanced one last time at the still animated village in front of me. Who knew when I would see it once again, if I ever saw it again?

The dread in the pit of my stomach came back. Taking a deep breath, I started making my way to my fate. I was naive to think I could train as a kunoichi without going back into action.

It's with a dry throat I reached the gate of the village. That I want it or not, I'm a kunoichi, a shinobi of the Mist. As Itachi so gently put it last night, I can't allow myself to be a coward anymore. That's what I've telling me since I got here without never really having to put it in action. And when I had the occasion to...I ran away.

I can't run away from my past.

Even if I die in the process.

For Sasuke.

For Naruto.

For all the changes I managed to do with my knowledge.

He could sense his teammates, Kakashi-san's presence near him reminding him he was not alone. However, he also could feel the many hostile presence hidden in the trees in front of them and the scenery in general. Mist shinobi were more at ease in hiding near water than those of the Lead, and it was the only thing Itachi was sure of now.

Two ANBU teams, his included, were sent at the meeting point between the Hokage and the Mizukage before the actual meeting. It was not surprising to be met with opposing shinobi of the same level than them.

Itachi held his breath back when two Kiri ANBU appeared on the ground, obviously protecting the boy between them. He did look like a child but there was something strong about his chakra. Something vaguely familiar. Something reminding him of the night the Nine-Tails attacked the village.

The boy had his arms crossed and his eyes closed, as if he was perfectly relaxed whereas the situation was on the verge of war. There was no doubt that this boy was the Mizukage. Itachi knew better than anyone not to trust anyone based on their appearance or age.

After a few minutes where tensed silence was lingering in the air, the Mizukage opened his eyes and smirked at the people coming to him. Itachi frowned when he recognized his father's chakra with the Sandaime and another he vaguely knew. Hiashi Hyuuga revealed himself, fully dressed as a jōnin, and Itachi knew from where he knew that chakra.

"Well Hokage-dono," the Mizukage spoke for the first time, clear satisfaction radiating in his voice, "I hope it is the first and last time we found ourselves in this kind of situation. I don't take kindly to people taking what's mine."

"Mizukage-dono, you know better than anyone a Kage's will is supposed to be obeyed. I was executing the Yondaime Hokage's wishes," the Hokage replied coolly, and Itachi had to fight to keep his cool when he spotted a familiar auburn-haired teenage girl next to his father.

"Well, my law came in action before yours, so the affiliation of the girl is obvious," the Mist leader scoffed, and Konoha shinobi stiffened from their spot. "Now, hand over the Uzumaki."

Akane moved forward, with an insurance he knew to be fake. No matter how much he would like to protect her, he knew he couldn't, and he was repeating it in his head like a mantra.

"Did you miss me that much Yagura-sama? Your life must have been so annoying without your favorite punching-ball, am I right?"

"You speak exactly like your trash of a father," he spat at her and her smirk grew, making all of Itachi's senses in alert. What was she doing, taunting the Mizukage like that!?

He made a signal and Itachi's hand went to take a kunai when he noticed a Kiri-nin taking senbon. However, they did not send them on Konoha.

No. Horror filled Itachi's eyes as senbon entered Akane's neck and blood spurted from her wound. She dropped dead in the grass, eyes still wide open as her blood trickled down her flesh and in the ground.

He wished it was a genjutsu, but knew it was not one.

They took her body away and the Mizukage nodded to the Hokage before leaving.

Itachi could not detach his eyes from the puddle of blood where Akane's body was seconds ago.

He had called her a coward and now she was dead.

"We're leaving," the Hokage ordered to everyone.

Later, when he was back in the village, he passed in front of her house. The light in her room was on and he peeked inside. Naruto was in her bed, but awake, with dried but red and puffy eyes.

Would he and her mother be told about this?

When he reached the compound, he stopped at the sight of his father, waiting for him. He lowered his eyes and walked past him.

"Itachi." At his name, he let his father reached him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I...I feel guilty Father," the teenager mumbled.

"There is nothing you could have done."

"But I can't help but feel like I'm missing a huge part of the story." He raised his eyes to his father, who had closed his. "But you know, don't you?"

"Like I said, there is nothing anyone could have done, trust me."

Yet, when Fugaku opened his eyes, he was taken back by his son, just realizing how important Akane must have been to him.

Because instead of the usual tomoes in Itachi's sharingan were three spiraling curves around the pupil.

Hey! Thanks for reading! I've finally finished the first Arc and canon should not be far away! Truth be told, this chapter took a year to finish, and I feel like it's rushed but it does the job. Please review so that I know you liked it :)

Bye!