Chapter 15: When it Rains…

Konoha Streets:

"I'll take three. Yes, I want them wrapped."

"Here you go. Please come again."

"Thank you." Izumi said, taking her order from the shopkeeper. She carefully placed the objects in her basket alongside the rest of her bounty. Bowing to the man, she left the stall and strolled down the busy streets of the village.

It was a bright and warm day. There were a few clouds hanging in the sky, but they were scattered and few. A nice day, she had thought for a little shopping trip. She and her boyfriend would have a dinner date tomorrow, and she wanted to make it special. Particularly now that she had some special news for him.

She wondered how Itachi would react when she told him. A devious smile crept onto her lips. Who knows, maybe it would be one of the few things that would cause him to panic. Or even faint dead away. Izumi wondered how much a good camera was going for these days.

It was while strolling through the busy streets that she spotted a familiar figure. Smiling to herself, she walked to greet them. "Afternoon, Shizune-San."

The black-haired medic-nin started for a second and turned to face Izumi. The woman relaxed when she saw who was greeting her. "Izumi-San," she said with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you out here. It's good to see you. How have you been?"

Izumi nodded. "Very good, actually. I was just wondering around when I saw you and thought to say hi." Her eyes wander over to the basket in Shizune's arms. It mostly had an assortment of fruits and vegetables, but she did catch a glimpse of several bottles at the bottom. The Uchiha woman formed a devious smile. "I see you're getting some supplies for Tsunade-Sama." She said.

For a moment, Shizune's smile faltered. "Ahh, yes." She began. "I was doing some shopping to restock. When I remembered that my sensei was getting low on her drinks. You know how she gets when she doesn't have a bottle to down at the end of a day."

Izumi chuckled as a sweatdrop rowed down the back of her head. "I think the whole village knows how she gets." She said. One memory popped into her mind.

The young medic-nin in training seemed to have the same thought. Evident by the way she groaned. "Oh, please don't remind me." She said, exasperated. "I couldn't show my face to the village for a month. I had to disguise myself just to escape the snickers and hushed whispers.

"Don't worry about it." Izumi said. "Besides, I think the ANBU were more embarrassed by it than you were." Somewhere unseen, a shadow stiffened.

"The one comfort I had out of the whole thing." Shizune said. "So, you can imagine I'm more than a bit motivated to make sure that never happens again." Then the woman investigated Izumi's basket. "I see that you're also getting some supplies. Don't you Uchiha do your own shopping in your compound?"

Izumi nodded. "Normally, I would." Izumi explained. "But there were some things I wanted to get that I can't find at the shops in the Uchiha compound. Plus, ever since the incident," She skirted around the issue. "Two years ago, our clan head encouraged us to interact with the rest of the village. A few of our shops have even moved out and set up business in the village."

"I can see how that can help mend relations." Shizune commented.

"Ma'am, your order is ready." The shopkeeper behind her said. "Will there be anything else?"

Shizune turned to face the man and took the bag in his hands. "Thank you." She said, depositing the bag away. "And no, that will be all."

The man nodded and faced Izumi. "What about you, young lady? Can I interest you in anything?" He said, gesturing over the items in his stall.

Izumi looked over the stall full of different vegetables, fresh, judging by how they looked and smelled. She shook her, not finding anything that caught her interest. "I'm afraid not." She said. "But I may come some other day and buy a few things." She added.

The nodded man, disappointed but understood. "It will be my honor." He said. "Both of you, have a good day."

"You too." Izumi said. Both women left the stall and strolled through the streets. "So, what's the special occasion." Shizune asked."

"Special occasion?" Izumi asked coyly. "Oh, this?" She left her up a little. "What? A lady can't do some shopping without having a reason?"

Shizune smiled and rolled her eyes. "Maybe." She said. "But I get the feeling that you have some special reason for being out here today. So, spill it."

Izumi chuckled. "All right. You got me." She said, lowering her basket. "Itachi and I are having a dinner date tomorrow, and I want to make it something special. Not to mention I have something I want to tell him." She placed a hand on her stomach.

Shizune blinked, taking a moment to register what she said and a little longer to realize what she meant. Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "What?"

Izumi smiled. "That's right."

Hokage Tower

"And that is the end of our report."

The Hokage nodded. "Well done, team twelve." He said to the Jōnin sensei and his genin team. All four bowed to their Hokage. "Your payments should arrive sometime tomorrow. Now get some rest, you deserve it."

"Yes, Hokage-Sama." All three genin said.

"Hokage-Sama." Their Jōnin-Sensei said. "Before we conclude this debriefing, I would like to put in a special commendation for one of my students."

Next to him, Itachi saw the Hokage raise an eyebrow and share a sideways glance with him. Itachi returned the glance. Both had expected this after reading the reports. "Go on." Itachi said, picking up for the Hokage.

The Jōnin sensei looked at one of his students. A young man around sixteen, sort of plain looking with brown hair that swept past his ears and green eyes that gleamed with life. Though they did have a slight dullness to them, something that only came after years in the Shinobi corps. Like the rest of his teammates, his face and arms were littered with bruises and medical patches.

"Hotaru-San, did a splendid job." The Jōnin continued. "While I was incapacitated, he took a leading role and fended off the enemy attack. If it weren't for him, the client and one or both of his teammates would have been killed."

Said genin blushed and turned his head away. "I didn't do all that much." He said.

"Don't listen to him, Hokage-Sama." The Jōnin-sensei continued. "I recommend that he receive a bonus on his pay. If necessary, it can be taken from my share of the mission pay." The Jōnin stopped his student from protesting. "I don't want to hear another word of it. Hotaru-San, you did a good job. Now accept the reward that comes with it."

The genin nodded. "I guess I'll get to treat my girlfriend to something special." He said.

The Jōnin Sensei smiled at his student and looked back at the Hokage and Itachi. "I apologize for my student. He can quite humble at times."

The Hokage waved him off. "It's alright." The old Shinobi said with a closed-eyed smile. "Humiliate is a good quality for a Shinobi to have."

"And not one we see enough of." Itachi commented under his breath. Arrogance was all too common in the Shinobi ranks for his taste. Pride in one's ability and work were one thing but having too much of it led to arrogance. Arrogance led to overconfidence, and an overconfident Shinobi was often a dead one. Just look at what it did to his clan.

"You may leave now." The Hokage said, breaking Itachi out of his thoughts. "I will consider your request. But if I do decide that your genin deserves a bonus in his pay. It will not come out of your share. Furthermore, you and your team are granted two weak leave to recuperate from your mission."

The Jōnin and his Genin team bowed to the Hokage. "Understood Hokage-Sama. I thank you for your generosity." A moment later, they were gone from the mission room."

Not even a moment later, the Hokage lit his pipe and took a smoke. "Tell me, Itachi-San. What do you think of this mission report?" He asked.

Itachi picked up a small stack of papers and scanned over them. The first few were just the overview of the mission, what had happened, and its outcome. Those were the ones they had read during the debriefing. The rest of the stack contained a more detailed version that would be reviewed later. He scanned over it twice more before he responded.

"I believe that team twelve did well considering the circumstances." Itachi began. "Things could have easily gone wrong, resulting in the death of the client and one or more of the team."

The Hokage nodded, showing he agreed with the assessment. "Do you believe they have done anything differently?"

"Perhaps a few things." Itachi said. "But I do not believe they could have done anything drastically different. They performed well and any mistakes made are a result of experience and not ability."

"Now what of Hotaru-San?" The Hokage said. "Do you agree with his sensei's recommendation?"

Itachi nodded as he spoke. "I would go with the recommendation that the young man be given accommodation and a bonus to his pay. The reports from his teammates and the client collaborate with his Jōnin Sensei's report. It's possible that the mission would have fallen apart if he had not taken a leading role while his sensei was out of commission."

Again, the Hokage nodded. "Agreed Hotaru-San will receive both an accommodation and pay a bonus for his actions during the mission. He did an excellent job, and such work deserves to be rewarded. Speaking of." The Hokage turned to the last page of his copy of the report. Itachi mirrored the action and knew immediately what the man's next question would be. "Now then, what about his Jōnin Sensei's other recommendation? The one he didn't mention during the debriefing."

Itachi scanned over the final line in the report. "Recommend that Genin Hotaru be promoted to the rank of Chunin, following an exemplary performance during the mission. Performing actions that went above and beyond duty. Failing that, he be placed on the path to promotion to the rank of Chunin."

"I would not recommend the young man be promoted," Itachi said. "Not right away. While he did take a leading role in the mission. He did make some mistakes that, if the enemy managed to exploit, would have resulted in disaster. Again, this is less to do with ability and more with a lack of experience. I would go with the latter part of Jōnin Sensei's recommendation. The Chunin exams are coming up in five months, correct?"

"They are." The Hokage confirmed. "They'll be held in Suna this time." He added.

Itachi nodded. "It is my recommendation that over the next five months, Hotaru be pushed into a leading role during missions. That way, he can gain much-needed experience. When the Chunin exams come up, team twelve's Jōnin Sensei can have them enter. Depending on his performance, we can decide if he deserves a promotion then or hold it off until he gains more experience."

The Hokage nodded while taking another smoke. "Very good, Itachi." He said, removing the pipe and blowing out a puff of smoke. "With any luck, we'll soon have another chunin added to our ranks. Who knows, maybe he'll make Jōnin if a few years. I'll send our recommendation to team twelve's Jōnin sensei tomorrow." The Hokage stood up from his chair and walked out from behind the table. "I would also like you to look over team twelve's records. Try to figure out their strengths and weaknesses and make a report to their Jōnin Sensei telling him what he can work on with them and how he should push them."

Itachi nodded. "Yes, Hokage-Sama." He said, putting the report away. "I'll have it into him by the end of the week" He stood up and walked beside the Hokage, looking out the window. It was a beautiful, peaceful day out in Konoha. Down below in the streets, Itachi could see its people going about their lives.

Children laughed, played, and ran all throughout the streets. Men and women milled about going from one building to the next. He saw the familiar figures of Shinobi jumping from rooftop to rooftop. A small smile crept onto his lips. It was on days like these that he was reminded why he became a Shinobi. He hoped that tomorrow would be just as beautiful.

"Something on your mind Itachi-Kun?" The Hokage asked.

Without looking away from the window, Itachi answered. "Nothing too much. Just admiring how beautiful the day is. I'm hoping that tomorrow is just as nice."

"Oh?" The Sandaime questioned. "Is there any particular reason why?" He asked, but Itachi detected the knowing tone in the older Shinobi's voice.

Deciding there was no use in hiding it, Itachi nodded. "Me and Izumi plan to have a dinner date tomorrow." He explained. "I'm planning on taking her to the Sushi restaurant they opened in the Uzu district."

Now the Hokage was raising an eyebrow. "I hear that place is quite expensive." The Sandaime said, turning to face him. "Not to mention reservations are almost impossible to get. Hiashi-San was me telling the other day that even he had difficulty getting a reservation. And he won't be going for three months. You either must have been incredibly lucky or." The older man let the last part hang in the air.

Itachi smiled. The Sandaime may be old, but he had not lost any of his sharpness. "I cashed in a couple of favors and owe a few new ones." He explained vaguely.

The Hokage gave him a knowing nod. "So, what's the special occasion?" He asked.

"Can't I just treat my girlfriend to something special?" Itachi asked.

The Hokage smiled and walked back to his seat. "Knowing you. I would not be surprised if you were just doing this just to make her happy." He said, turning the chair around and taking a seat. "But I suspect that you have something special in mind tomorrow."

Itachi tried to keep the blush from spreading to his cheeks as his mind wandered off to a small box hidden in his room. "I suppose I do have something special in mind for her tomorrow." He said.

The old Hokage gave him a kindly smile. The kind that a grandfather would give this being the Sandaime, it wasn't all that far off a description. "So, you finally plan to propose to her?" His question came off as more of a statement.

Itachi was not at all surprised that Hokage had figured out his intentions. "We have been together for some time now. About five or six years."

The Hokage chuckled. "I remember how long I was with Biwako before I finally mustered up the courage to marry her. Ten years we courted each other." A nostalgic look morphed across the old man's face. "We were together for more than thirty years before." The Sandaime trailed off and looked up at the ceiling, his smile taking a sad tinge. "Those were some of the happiest years in my life." He said after a moment.

Feeling guilt, Itachi spoke up. "I'm sorry if this brought up any bad memories."

The Hokage waved him off. "Not to worry, my boy. While it pains my heart to think of her, it also soothes it. Remember, Itachi, we must take the good with the bad. While partings can be sad, and sometimes they bring pain. There is always the promise that we will meet again. When I pass from this world and join the pure world, I have no doubt that my beloved Biwako will be the first to greet me there." The older man sighed. "But enough about my past love life. Tell me, how do you feel about this? Asking Izumi to be your wife?"

Itachi thought about it for a moment. Wandering how he should answer the Hokage's question. "Honestly," He began. "I feel nervous."

The Sandaime smiled. "As you should be." He said. "I felt that taking on all nine of the Biju would have been less stress-inducing when I proposed to Biwako. And I felt that way all the way to when we finally exchanged our vows. It was a big step that we took. But it was one we took together and the right one for us. As I am sure, it will be for you and Izumi."

Itachi nodded. "I feel like it is too." He said. "But at the same time, I am worried. What if this is not the right choice for us? What if it's too soon? What if she says no? What if later we find out that we're not right for each other?" Hundreds of questions swirled around inside him, and he had no way to answer them easily. He had never felt this nervous and worried about something. Not since that night two years ago.

"Itachi," The Hokage began. "I asked myself those same questions. And they were not any easier to answer than as they are now. I can't give you those answers, Itachi. But what I can tell you is this. The only way you can find out is to take this step. Than another. And another. Until you look back one day and find that you have answered your questions. What they will be is for you to decide." The Hokage stood up and walked beside Itachi. He was looking out the window. "But you will never find these answers if you allow fear to give you pause."

Itachi thought about the Hokage's words and knew that he was right. "I love her." Itachi said. "And I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

"Then you already know the answer to the first of your questions." The Hokage said sagely. The door behind them opened, and another team walked in to report. "I do hope that you have a good day tomorrow. And try to think about what I said." The Hokage turned his attention to the newcomers. "Team five, what can I do for you?"

Itachi looked out the window for just another second. A small smile crept onto his face as his thoughts wandered over to what was to come for tomorrow. He still felt nervous, still felt that any number of things could go wrong. But after his brief conversation with the Hokage, he felt strangely at peace with that. No matter what came, he would face it and take one step at a time.

Itachi stole one last glance at the streets below. It really was beautiful out there, he hoped it would always stay that way. Itachi should have known better. Just as he was turning, just as the Jōnin-Sensei for the newly arrived genin team began their report. A section of Konoha was engulfed in fire.

Earlier, Forest Clearing:

"Should I tell them or not?"

That question had plagued Yakumo ever since she arrived in the forest clearing. Before then, she had been so confident in what she had to do. She was going to tell them about her clan's dark secret. About the dangers of her power. About the demon that tormented her every day of her life.

She had fantasied about this ever since she woke up. After having a night so restful that, at first, she feared it was some kind of deception from the Shadow. Her friends would accept her, Sasuke would accept her. She wouldn't feel so alone in this world anymore. She would finally have someone who understood the burden she bore. Perhaps they would even help her overcome the Shadow.

In the back of her mind, Yakumo heard a small scoffing noise. She promptly ignored it.

It was such a wonderful and peaceful dream that it had her smiling throughout the day. Then she stepped into the forest clearing, and a small seed of doubt sprouted in her. She looked and saw her friends all around her.

Ino and Hinata were talking together, chatting away about something. Yakumo didn't know what, clothes maybe? She was only half-heartedly paying attention and participating. Close by, Choji was happily munching away at a bag of chips. Next to him, Shikamaru was lazily watching the clouds. Kiba was next to them, playing with his Ninken Akamaru and watching the spare in front of them. Then her gaze landed on Naruto and Sasuke.

Both were in the middle of another of their sparring matches. Sweat was glistening on both boys as they exchanged blows. Her gaze remained fixated on Sasuke. He had done so much for her.

He was the first friend she ever had outside of Kurenai. He had been the one to fill the empty void in her heart that she never knew was consuming her. He had introduced her to all his friends, each of whom was wonderful in their own way. They each gave her a reason not to be alone. To feel happier and more content.

Would they accept her? Deep down, Yakumo knew that the answer was yes. But doubt and fear still clawed at her.

"That's because deep down, you know the truth." An all too familiar voice said. "They'll betray you. They're just waiting for the right moment."

Yakumo again ignored the Shadow's mockery. Yakumo stared at Sasuke for a moment longer, not knowing that her cheeks were turning red. She looked around the clearing again.

She and Sasuke's clearing. A small smile crept onto her face. It was funny just a few months ago. She would have thought nothing of this place. It was just one of many spread throughout the forest. Was it a nice place? Yes, it was and certainly worth coming back for. But it had been nothing special.

Then she met Sasuke, and they hung out here every day since. This forest clearing had become more just a place. It was something special to them, their little space separate from the rest of the world. Sure, others like their friends were free to visit it. But there seemed to be a silent agreement among their friends. This forest clearing belonged to Sasuke and her. It was their forest clearing. They were just guests here.

She felt more at peace here than anywhere else. Her gaze came to the two figures watching over them and having a private conversation. One was Kurenai, and the other was a member of her clan. A man a bit younger than her uncle.

Ever since her uncle found out about her secret meetings, he had insisted on having at least one member of the clan to watch over them. For a while, Yakumo had been so afraid that one day her uncle ordered her to stop seeing her friends and lock her up in the compound for the rest of her life. If that did ever happen, she would do everything in her power to escape.

Thankfully that never happened, and just this morning, her uncle felt like a completely different man. Yakumo suspected that Sasuke had something to do with it. This morning he seemed so much more open to the idea of her having friends, and, to her surprise, the night before, he gave her permission to tell them about the Ido. That had been a surprise to her. At first, she thought she had imagined it. Maybe she had already been asleep and dreamt the whole thing up.

Then she got confirmation from him this morning. Now she was faced with a decision. "Should I tell them?" She asked herself.

"Go ahead, tell them. See what happens." The Shadow whispered in the back of her mind.

A slight frown jumped onto Yakumo's face. "Be sil?" She started to mentally shout at the thing.

"Yakumo-San, are you alright?"

Yakumo was torn out of her thoughts and looked to the source of the question. Hinata was giving her a worried expression. Next to her, Ino had a similar expression. Hinata started to press her fingers together and repeated her question. "Y-yakumo-San are you okay?"

Yakumo blinked, not really understanding what the girl was asking. "What do you mean?" She asked. "I'm fine. I think."

Hinata didn't seem to be convinced. Nor was Ino. "What she means is," The platinum-haired girl started. "That ever since you got here, you've been in a kind of funk."

"Funk?" Yakumo questioned. That seemed like a strange word for the Ino to use.

"Ya," The girl said. "You've been quieter than usual and barely responded to anything we've said. Come to think of it I don't think you've responded to Sasuke all that much today. And you two are about as close as you can." Ino exclaimed. "It seems like you got something on your mind."

Hinata nodded. "If there's anything we can do to help. C-can't you tell us?" She asked, sitting down next to Yakumo.

Ino mirrored the action sitting on the opposite side. "Yea, we're you're friends." She said with a smile. "If there's anything we can to help, we'll do it. So, just tell us."

Yakumo felt the traces of a smile tugging at her lips. "I guess I do have a lot on my mind." She said. The doubt was still mauling at her. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to tell them. "But I'm not sure if you can help me."

"Sure, we can." A new voice entered the conversation. Yakumo looked up, seeing that the boys had also gathered around her. When had that happened? The question had come from Naruto. "It's like Ino said. We're your friends. If we can help, we'll do it." He said.

Kiba nodded, showing he agreed with the blindfolded boy. Akamaru was resting on his head and gave a supportive bark.

"You can tell us anything." Choji said for once, not eating away at his favorite bag of chips.

Shikamaru yawned. "To be truthful, it would be troublesome to get us involved in your problems. But it would be more troublesome not to get involved. So, tell us." He avoids the sharp glare from Ino.

Sasuke was the last to speak his support. "We're all worried about you." He said. "Especially me. So can't you tell us"

Yakumo wasn't sure how to respond. Her friends were so supportive of her. Offering her words of encouragement and support. But would they be like after she told them the secret of her clan?

She heard dark laughter in the back of her mind. "Go ahead, listen to their honeyed words. Buy into their false promises. They're just waiting for the right moment to plunge the dagger into your back and twist it around. Tell them, and you'll see."

Yakumo fought off the annoyed frown that tried to overtake her lips. "Go away!" She shouted in her head. For once, she didn't get a response.

"It doesn't have anything to do with your uncle, does it?" Hinata asked.

It was then that the tension in the air became palatable. Naruto had a frown on his face. Kiba was baring his fangs, and Akamaru looked like he was trying a suppress a growl. Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, but otherwise, his face remained passive. Even Choji seemed to struggle to keep his friendly demeanor. But Sasuke's reaction was the most startling to Yakumo. It remained completely passive, showing no trace of emotion. But somehow, Yakumo knew there was more going on under the surface.

"He hasn't done anything? Has he?" Sasuke asked calmly. The tone of his voice almost felt icy.

"That bastard." Kiba roared. He smashed a fist against his hand. "Just tell us what he did, and we'll beat the crap out of him."

"Kiba, language." Ino said, shooting the feral-looking boy a heated glare. "But I agree. If he's done anything, just tell us, and we'll help. Who knows, maybe he'll suddenly embarrass himself out in public."

"Or get suddenly get a black eye."

"You know." Naruto started. "I haven't pulled any good pranks lately."

"I'll ask dad to ban him from all of our restaurants." Choji said.

"Troublesome."

Sasuke just remained silent. But behind his eyes, Yakumo knew he was planning something.

Yakumo didn't know when she started to do it, but she was chuckling. Her friends were willing to help her and go up against her uncle for her sake. Even when he has nothing to do with it, at least not completely. Her friends gave her weird looks, so she decided to clear the matter up. "No, my uncle hasn't done anything." She said.

"You sure?" Sasuke asked.

Yakumo nodded. "Yes, he's been better of late. No, something else is occupying my mind."

"So, what is it then?" Ino asked. "Come, you can tell us."

"I'm trying to decide if I should tell you all something." Yakumo said. "It has to do with my clan." She explained.

"Your clan?" Sasuke questioned.

Yakumo nodded. "It's a secret that my clan has guard closely."

The others around her stiffened. Coming from different clans, they all knew what it was like to keep secrets. Even Naruto, not being of a clan but taken in by the Hyūga, seem to understand the gravity of what she said. Choji was the one to speak. "Are you sure it's okay to tell us?"

Yakumo nodded. "It has to do with why I've been isolated from the rest of the village. My Uncle gave me permission to tell you. He told me if you could accept me after learning about it. Then he would allow and even support me in having friendships with you." For a moment, Yakumo felt her cheeks heat up. "Namely you, Sasuke." She said."

"M-me?" Sasuke asked, getting a nod.

"Well then, just tell us." Naruto said bluntly, getting a glare from Ino.

"Naruto!" Ino said.

Naruto looked at her. "What?" He asked. "She said her uncle would let us be friends if she told us."

Ino opened her mouth, but it was Shikamaru's voice that answered. "It's not if she told us. Its if we would accept her after she told us. And that's why she is afraid to tell us." He looked over at Yakumo. "She is afraid we'll abandon her."

Yakumo couldn't find the words to explain herself, so she just nodded. She knew that they all were her friends. That Sasuke was her friend. All of them were wonderful, good people, and she was lucky to have met them. Why wouldn't they accept her, embrace her for who and what she is? Good friends were supposed to accept and support one another. At least that's what Kurenai told her.

Yet some small part of her was still so very afraid. These people were her first and only friends, she didn't want to risk losing them. Especially Sasuke, she didn't know what she would do if he turned against her. It didn't help that a certain shadow was egging her on.

Naruto looked like he was about to say something. But to the shock of everyone, Sasuke was the one to speak. "That's stupid." He said loudly. Not really a shout, but louder than he usually was. Though judging by the looks of the others, it may as well have been a shout. "We're your friends. Why wouldn't we accept you?" He asked.

"But!" Yakumo began, shocked at the hated look she was receiving from the boy. The expression in his eyes was a mix of surprise, understanding, disappointment, and something else she couldn't identify.

"No buts." Sasuke said. "You think we've been pretending to be your friends, don't you? That we're just waiting for the right moment to drop the act and start laughing at you?" He asked. Getting muted silence from Yakumo as she opened and closed her mouth several times, at a loss for words. "Well, we're not. We're not pretending to be your friends. We are your friends. What is eating at you? Whatever you're afraid of. We'll be there for you. Because we care about. I care about you." His voice began to crack from the emotion seeping into it. "So, please tell us about it, and we'll help you. We'll accept you."

Silence fell over the group as Sasuke's words sunk in. She wasn't aware of it, but tears were streaming down from her eyes. After a moment, it was Ino who broke the silence. "He's right." She said, a somber smile on her lips. "We are your friends. And we'll help in whatever way we can."

Naruto nodded a thoughtful smile on. "We don't care what secret you and your clan have. We'll be there for you."

Hinata was pushing her fingers together. "You don't have to be afraid. We'll help you." She looked over at the two adults watching them. "And I'm sure that Kurenai-San, will be there for you too." She added.

The others were quick to add their support for Yakumo. Akamaru jumped down from Kiba's head and walked to Yakumo's lap. Where he laid his head down, giving a support bark. Yakumo's hand reached out and began to stroke the puppy's fur as tears continued to drip.

"Thank you." Yakumo said. "You're all such wonderful people. I don't deserve to have friends like you."

Sasuke frowned. "You do." He said. "You deserve to have friends. You deserve to live a normal life surrounded by people who care about you."

In the back of her mind, the Shadow was shouting. "DON'T YOU LISTEN TO THEM. THEIR DECEIVING YOU!" She blocked out the noise.

She looked up at Sasuke, noticing for the first time that her vision had become blurred. "Your right." She said, wiping the tears from her eyes. She couldn't let fear rule her forever. Sooner or later, she would have to face her fears. And she wanted to face them with her friends at her side. With Sasuke there for her. "All right, I'll tell you."

Sasuke and others sat around her. She looked at all of them, seeing their supportive and eager expressions. How did she get to be so lucky?

"It has to do with my clan's abilities." She began. That was about as far as she got when they heard a distant boom. Then everything went wrong.

Moments earlier

Daichi was smiling to himself. Everything was set. They had their target. They had a plan. They had their escaped planned and all the resources they needed to pull it off and get away. A month of planning was about to pay off. Konoha was about to suffer a humiliation, and one day everyone would know he was its architect.

Unconsciously his hand went for his headband, the crest of Iwa proudly displayed. The Shinobi of his former village believed him to be a traitor, but one day they would know that he was more loyal than any of them could hope to be.

"Hiro should be beginning his attack soon." Sana said.

Daichi nodded. "Good, the sooner we get this done. The sooner we get out of this hellhole of a village." He said.

"He and the others won't be coming back, will they?" Sana asked.

Daichi hid the grim expression on his face. He would be losing three of his men today. They were good Shinobi, and he hated to lose them. But sacrifices had to be made. He knew that, and they knew that. That was the life of Shinobi. "They will get the job done." He said. He pointed to the two adults watching over the children. "I want those two taken out as soon as possible. Especially the woman."

"She doesn't look like much." One of his subordinates said.

Daichi suppressed a low growl. "Fool," He hissed." Don't you recognize a Jōnin when you see one?" He asked. It was evident by the way she held herself. Most Kunoichi he encountered were a joke, in his opinion. To infatuated with romantic adventures and ill-prepared for the realities of Shinobi life. The same could be said about some Shinobi he met.

This Kunoichi was different, she held herself differently. Like how a true Kunoichi should. He also recognized who she was. "That's Yuhi Kurenai, the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha." Sana said. "As the name would suggest, her specialty lies in genjutsu. I hear even some Uchiha respect her abilities."

His other subordinate looked at him in surprise. Daichi nodded to confirm Sana's information. "We'll have to be careful with her. If we don't kill her in the opening moments, start pulsing your chakra every few seconds. If you see any of us start to act strange, try to get us and lay your hands on us. Then channel your chakra into our bodies. That should be enough to disrupt any genjutsu she throws at us." Both of his subordinates nodded at him.

Not even a moment later, a distant boom could be heard across the village and into the forest clearing. Daichi's smile turned feral. It was time to move. Without having to give a command, all three missing-nin sprang into action.

"What in the world?" Kurenai said, whirling around to face the direction of the boom. A chill went down her spine. That was all the time she had before a hail of Kunai came down on her.

Barely having a second, the young Jōnin's instincts kicked in. Her body moved just as the hail reached her. She managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, but a few managed to make small cuts into her clothes. Kurenai winced as one of them lodged itself in her shoulder.

Ignoring the pain, she pulled the weapon out and used it to parry the next hail of kunai. Then threw the bloodied weapon at one of her attackers. The man dodged and jumped into the air.

"Katon: Phoenix Bullet no Jutsu." A string of fire bulls vaguely shaped like their namesake force the man to shift around the air.

Kurenai's mind was in overdrive now. She determined that she had three attackers on her. Why wasn't the Kurama man helping he… Shit! Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the corpse of the man she had been talking to not even five seconds ago. Dozens of Kunai punctured the man's body, and a large stone spear had been rammed through his chest for what must have been good measure. The man's face was twisted into a mixture of shock and pain.

Not good. Not good at all. That only left Kurenai alone to face three enemy nin. One of which she knew was at least Jōnin level. The other she gauged to be mid to high Chunin. Those two alone she could handle. The Jōnin she might be able to take, depending on where he fell in the spectrum. But with three working together and her only backup dead, her odds were not looking good.

One of her attackers, a thin-looking man with greyish hair, closed in on her. He drew a short blade and slashed at her. Kurenai was forced to draw out a kunai and parry the attack. Then parry several more slashes. She felt a presence behind her.

Her kunai clashed with the man's blade. In that same second, her leg shot out and connected with his stomach. He was sent back, giving Kurenai the space she needed to twist around, avoiding a chakra-enhanced punch.

Kurenai slashed at the man's back. But the man, the Jōnin, was quick and turned around. Deflecting the attack, he grabbed her wrist and punched her in the stomach. Or would have if it were not for the puff of smoke that enveloped her. Followed by the sound of a log shattering into a thousand pieces.

Sending a silent prayer to the log's noble sacrifice. Kurenai threw a set of Kunai at the attacker. He easily dodged the attack and grinned at her. "Nice try." He said. "But you're going to have to do bettghhaa," The man suddenly screamed as his body stiffened. He looked around at his body, the surprise and fear palpable in his eyes.

Kurenai smiled to herself. The man had fallen into one of her genjutsu. A personal favorite of hers where the victim saw their body be enveloped in a tree. Now she could get in close enough to slit his throat before realizing what was happening.

Again, instinct kicked in just in time to avoid a stone spear from running her through. She faced the third of the attackers, a balding man. He was holding a second stone spear which he threw at her. Reacting quickly, Kurenai went through a blur of handsigns and slammed her hands into the ground. "Doton: Earth Wall no Jutsu." A slab of earth rose, and the stone spear smashed against it. The stone wall crumbled to show that Kurenai was no longer there.

A moment later, she appeared behind the still genjutsu-bound Jōnin. A kunai went for his throat. However, the genjutsu mistress was forced to pull back when she felt a pulse come from the man. Cursing under her breath, Kurenai jumped back, avoiding the man's leg as he spun around.

Kurenai landed a few feet away, catching her breath. It was at this moment that she noticed the other two pulsing their chakra. They knew she was a genjutsu specialist and came in prepared to deal with her. While that did limit her options, she still had plenty of genjutsu in her arsenal that would not be affected by pulsating chakra.

If that failed, well, she wouldn't be Jōnin if she didn't have a respectable knowledge of Ninjutsu. She readied herself for her opponent's next move. It was then that she heard the screaming.

Kurenai's eyes widened in shock. She had gotten caught up in the fight that she forgot one very crucial detail. There were children here. Kurenai whirled around to see that one of the attackers, the thin man with the short blade, was charging at the children.

Everything seemed to slow down as the man reared his blade back. Then brought it down on one of the boys. Poor Choji was frozen in place by terror as the blade came down on him.

Clang!

Metal met with metal. Kurenai gritted her teeth as she felt the full force of the blade vibrate from her Kunai into her arms. The man might not look like much, but he had a lot of strength. The man was not done, though, as he shot out a fist that connected with her gut.

It took everything she had not to cough out a gasp of air. The man reared back his arm for another attack, but this time Kurenai was ready for him. She intercepted the attack and swept out her leg. Rather than have his legs swept out from under him, her attacker jumped back, landing about a meter away. Then was forced to move again as several shuriken were thrown at him, followed by a dozen small fireballs.

Now that there was some distance between her and the attackers, Kurenai risked a glance at the children. They were terrified, that much she could be sure of, and she could not fault them. Except for Naruto and Sasuke, they had never seen a Shinobi in action, let alone a battle between them.

Not to mention that this was Konoha. They were supposed to be safe here and not have to fear for their lives. Which brought her a question that had been running through her mind since the beginning of the battle. How in the hell did three, possibly more, enemy Shinobi manage to get into the village without getting an all-expense-paid trip to T&I?

If she got out this alive, she would have some words with the Hokage about village security. That, however, was for later, now. Now she was barking out orders at the frightened children. "Get out of here." She shouted at them.

Most of the children broke out of their frozen states. Naruto and Sasuke were already recovering before the others. They looked at her, unable to mask their fear. "Kurenai-San, what a-bout y-ou?" Hinata said.

Kurenai didn't have time for this. She could feel that the enemy were making their next move. "Ruunnn!" Shouted at the top of her lungs, deflecting half a dozen kunai thrown their way. Finishing a set of handseals, Kurenai cupped her hands and blew. "Katon: Spiraling Flame Vortex." A twisting arc of flames shot out, consuming and melting the stone bullets, and spun towards the enemy. The three attackers avoid the twisting line of flames just as it reaches them, leaving a patch of the ground in flames.

Kurenai didn't have to look back to know that the children weren't there anymore. She could hear their rapidly fading footsteps.

"Please. Please leave the children be." Kurenai mentally pleaded to the three attackers. She wasn't sure how well she could protect the children from three high-level shinobi. But her pleas went on deaf ears.

The attackers, rather than come after her, charged at the fleeing children. This confirmed her suspicions. That boom they hear just before the attack must have been a second group of enemy shinobi attacking the village. She didn't even want to think about the casualties they inflicted on the civilians before every Shinobi in the village, from the lowest genin to the deadliest ANBU, responded to an outrageous attack. It would never occur to them that the attack was a distraction from the enemy's true goal.

The children. They were after the children. Kurenai gritted her teeth and charged in to intercept the attackers. Now the question was, which of the children were they after? There wasn't a lack of options as all but one were the heirs to major clans. Two of which possessed the two most coveted dojutsus in the world. Then there was a certain blonde Jinchūriki to factor in.

Kurenai noted that it was no small coincidence that the attacking nin wore Iwa headbands. Had Iwa somehow learned about their Jinchūriki and decided to take him for themselves? Or worse yet, learned about his heritage and were trying to take vengeance for what his father did in the third Shinobi War? Both were likely to lead to war.

There are so many questions to be answered, unknown factors at play here. Kurenai intercepted the enemy's attack on the children. A blade screeched across her kunai and cut into the side of her arm. She ignored the pain and the subsequent screams from the fleeing children.

She sent the short blade-wielding man back with a palm thrust to his chest. Then block a kunai strike from the attack Jōnin. The man smiled at her, a gesture that seemed equal parts mocking and respectful. "You really do live up to your rank as a Jōnin." He said.

Kurenai returned the smirk. "So do you." She said. "And your men aren't half bad for a couple of Chunin."

The man chuckled at her remark. "You know it is rare that I meet a Kunoichi that lives up to the name. Especially one that gets her name in the Bingo book. Yuhi Kurenai the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha." Kurenai frowned at that piece of information. While she was proud of the title she had been given, she knew how dangerous it was for a Shinobi to become widely known. Especially when their name hinted at their specialty.

"So, you have heard of me?" Kurenai said. She was careful to keep herself between the three attackers and the fleeing children. If they could just get to the forest, they might stand a chance of getting away. Holding a Kunia out, Kurenai carefully eyed the men.

"As I said, it's not every day I meet Kunoichi that can live up to the name." The Jōnin said. "So, I think I'll cut you a deal." Kurenai raised an eyebrow. She had a suspicion about what this deal would be. Her answer would be along the lines of "no way in hell" and "over my dead body." The man made his proposal. "Hand over the girl, and we'll leave you and the rest of the kids alone."

"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific than that." Kurenai said, fishing for more info. "There were three girls among my charges." At the same time, she fought back the repulsion that was building up in her. She didn't even want to imagine what they would do to any of the girls if they got their hands on them.

The man smiled, thinking he had her or knowing she was only stalling for time. "The browned-haired one." That was when Kurenai's heart dropped. No, they couldn't mean? "The Kurama girl. Hand her over, and we'll leave you in peace." The Jōnin offered.

Kurenai's eyes narrowed at the man. If she could, she would have disintegrated the man with a look alone. "I see." She commented. "Pray to tell what could Iwa possibly want with the Kurama clan? I thought there would be more tempting targets in our little village."

The man kept his smile. "Who says Iwa is doing this?" He said. So, he was a missing-nin. Kurenai had mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, it meant there wouldn't be a war with Iwa. On the other hand, it didn't resolve her current predicament. It also raised the question of who hired them and for what reason they wanted the Yakumo. There was also the possibility that the man was trying to miss lead her. Sometimes she really hated the mind games that her profession involved. "So, what's it going to be?" The man asked. "Do you give us the kid, or do we have to take her?"

The missing-nin didn't even have to wait for a second as a kunai sailed towards his face. His head tilted to the side, letting the weapon fly past him. "I'll take that as." Then exploded next to his head. Smoked engulfed the group of three. Kurenai was already in motion even before she saw the charred log fall to the ground.

Not even a moment later, a fist collided with the ground creating a small crater. The attacker, the big muscular one, sprinted towards her throwing out his arm. At the same time, a second attacker, the thin-looking man, charged in with his blade out. The Genjutsu mistress parried both attacks. The blade with her last Kunia and the arm with a leg. The three remained locked in for half a second, then became a blur of motion.

Much to her dismay, Kurenai found herself quickly on the defensive. As she dodged, parried, countered, and fainted against the moves of her opponents. But Kurenai was not a close-quarters specialist. She preferred her action to be at a distance where she could trap her enemies in a genjutsu and/or shot of a Ninjutsu. Try as she did, attacks were getting through her guard.

One moment she felt the tip of a blade glade across the surface of her arm. The next a palm clipping a leg. Kurenai gritted her teeth. If she got out of this, she would have to up her training. Maybe a few sessions with Gai would help?

It wasn't helping that she wasn't fully focusing on the fight. She had quickly noticed that the third attacker, the Jōnin man, hadn't joined in on the brawl. It didn't take a genius to figure out where he was going. Or who he was going after.

If she had the time, Kurenai might have cursed the man. Her two attackers continued to press in on her. Kurenai needed a plan and needed it right now. Or at least something to go in her favor.

That something came in the form of what sounded like zapping noises in the air. The sword-wielder was quick to react. He broke from attacking Kurenai, jumping back and using his blade to slash at the bolts of blue light. "The hell?" He shouted.

The other attacker was not so quick on the upkeep. Three of the bolts landed on him before he broke off from Kurenai. One had clipped past his right arm while the other two burned into his back.

"Thank you, Naruto." She thought, briefly gazing up at the eyeballs as they continued to fire off bolts of chakra. Just as quickly, she turned her attention back to the bigger one of the two attackers. He was desperately trying and failing to dodge the attacks. He hadn't figured out where the attacks were coming from. Kurenai intended to have it stay that way.

The instant the kunai left her hand, she went through a motion of handsigns. The man noticed the kunai coming even as a bolt glanced him in the shoulder. He jumped to the side. Right into the path of the Kunia, where it lodged itself into his throat. Horror and surprise spread across his face as his hand went for his throat and held it up to examine his own blood. "Gen." He said before his eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell over.

Kurenai didn't waste time examining her handy work. She turned to face the sword-wielding man. She was disappointed to see that he had managed to figure out where the bolts of charka were coming from and was actively slashing at the floating eyes. If she had looked more closely, she would have seen a few on the ground sliced in half. As it were, though, Kurenai charged in at the man.

The man noticed her coming at him and turned to face her. But he had been too slow to react, and Kurenai's leg connected with the side of his head. He was sent back, stumbling on his feet. He looked at her in time to see her finish a set of handsigns.

At that very instant, he made the mistake of looking into her eyes. "Sleep." She said. Surprise quickly turned to panic as he held his hands up to form a sign. "Sleep!" Kurenai said more forcefully."

The man's arms slumped to his sides. For a few more moments, he tried to fight off the genjutsu-induced sleep but failed in the end. He fell over his body, hitting the ground with a surprisingly loud thud for such a thin-looking man.

Kurenai glared at the man, momentarily tempted to slit his throat right then and there. But she held off, knowing the action would waste precious time. Besides, Anko and the rest of T&I would love the present.

Without another thought, Kurenai turned away from the man and went after the kids. She was relieved to see that the children had almost reached the forest. Then relief turned to concern when she saw the last of the attackers was almost on top of the kids. The only reason he wasn't already was probably because he was playing with them.

A mistake Kurenai hoped to capitalize on. Putting every bit of chakra she had into a burst of speed, she flew across the clearing. The remaining missing-nin had good instincts and noticed her closing the distance. The man smirked at her, showing a detectable mild sense of respect.

The man started to go through a series of handseals. However, his focus was not on Kurenai. The Genjutsu mistress narrowed her eyes at the man, knowing he was forcing her to make a decision. "Damn you." She cursed him.

She changed her course and came between the missing-nin and the fleeing children, just in time for the attacker to finish the last handsign and for a whip made of earth to slam into her. Then everything turned black.

Sana woke with a jolt. He looked up at Daichi, giving him a nasty glare. For a moment, he was confused, then the memories of the last few moments before he lost consciousness came flooding in. The fight with the Konoha Kunoichi, Toji dying. And the bitch putting him under a genjutsu.

Sana frowned. "She got to me." He said bitterly.

Daichi continued to glare at him. "It appears that way." He said evenly. Then he turned to face another direction. Getting up, Sana looked in the same direction and suppressed a smile. Slumped over a tree; a tree that had a human-sized dent in it, was the Kunoichi he fought. "But I got to her."

Sana picked up his discarded sword. "Is she dead?" He asked. He couldn't tell if the woman was still breathing at this distance.

"She'll live," Daichi said to Sana's disappointment. "But she won't be waking up for a while." He explained.

Sana's grip tightened on the hilt of his blade. "Shall I finish her?" He asked.

Daichi shook his head. "No, I have something else in mind for you." He said. "I want you to go after the children and get our target. Or is that going to be too much for you?"

Sana held back the embarrassment he felt. "No, sir." He said. "What should I do with the rest of the children?" He asked.

Daichi shrugged. "Do what you want. Just as long we get our target, I don't care." He said. "Now, get moving. I'll handle Toji." With a bow, Sana sprinted into the forest after the children.

It didn't take him long to catch up with the little brats. It wasn't that hard to track down many frightened children, even if they came from Shinobi families. Sana smirked to himself. He might not be able to get his revenge on the Kunoichi personally by killing her. But he could get it by offing the kids she tried and failed to protect.

With that thought in mind, Sana leaped down from a tree branch and aimed his sword at the chubby-looking one. He fully intended to cleave the boy in two.

"Choji, watch out!" One of the kids called out. The chubby kid didn't even question it and leaped to the side, barely dodging Sana's blade. He looked in the direction of the voice. To it his surprise, the warning had come from the blindfolded kid.

How did he know Sana was about to attack? Before he could think about it, he heard a sound he had recently become familiar with. Using his blade, Sana deflected a hail of chakra bolts. In the air, he saw more of those strange floating eyes. Deflecting more bolts, he glances at the blindfolded boy to see more pairs of eyes floating around him.

So, the rumors were true. Konoha had gained a new genkai kekkei. Certainly, an interesting if disturbing ability. No matter, Konoha would soon lose this new power, assuming the boy was the only one with it.

Sana held his blade out and sped towards the boy. He deflected a couple more bolts before a flash of light briefly blinded him. "Brat." Sana cursed before his sight quickly returned, and he sliced through the offending eyes. Then his blade went through the boy's neck, and Sana got a brief glance of a panicked expression on the child's face. Before his head fell off and his body hit the ground.

Sana briefly enjoyed the sounds of horror from the other kids before he finished them off. Leaving only the target left alive. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she backed slowly away from him, her eyes locked onto the corpses of her friends.

Sana sheathed his blade and walked toward the girl. She backed into a tree. "St-stay away from me." She said.

"Don't be scared." Sana said. "I'm not here to kill you. Now be a good little girl and come with me quietly."

The girl pressed herself into the tree, shaking her head. "No. No. No. You killed my friends."

Sana frowned and grabbed the girl by her shoulder. "Little girl, I may not be here to kill you. But I can make you suffer if you don't do as I say." He growled at the frightened child. "Now, are you coming with me, or do I have to use more persuasive means?" To illustrate his point, he tightens his grip on the girl's shoulder. Pressing hard into the bone.

The girl whimpered in pain and slowly nodded her head.

Sana smiled. "Good girl." He said. "Now, let's get going. Wouldn't want to keep the boss waiting? Would we?"

Pulling the girl away from the tree, the two began to walk through the forest. For a moment, the girl looked behind her and seemed to whisper something. Sana was having none of it and shoved the girl forward. "Move it girl." He growled, getting a frightened whimper from her.

The girl picked up her pace, and soon enough, they left behind what he believed was a pile of dead children.

Okay, people, that's all for Naruto of the Thousand Eyes. I hoped you liked the en- blinks-. Wait a minute -checks the scrip- that wasn't supposed to happen. Wh-What just happened? Alright, people sit tight while I figure this one out.