Chapter 27: Days Past

'Inner thoughts'

Writing/sounds

The sound of footsteps could be heard in the forest as a young girl around the age of eleven, ran with everything that she had while carrying an older girl on her back. The short hair reaching her ears bounced with every leap she took. "Shijima-sama hold on…" Huff… Huff… "We are nearing the lake… You'll be home soon…" She gasped tripping over and dropping the girl. 'My portal only took me so far…' She groaned as she lifted the unconscious girl back onto her back.

Without rest, the girl ran carrying the other until they made it to the lake without encountering their pursuers. 'They must still be chasing the others.' She thought as she was able to carry the girl with the thick glasses to the lake with a waterfall that hid a shrine a couple of meters deep inside.

Going to the hidden shrine she placed the girl down and closed her eyes, quickly going through every scroll about transportation she read. Sensing chakra signatures she didn't recognize above, the girl used one of her nails to draw blood.

Drawing the symbols quickly she rushed to the girl, fixing her glasses before pulling her up. Placing her in the middle of the seal she used her blood to write on the girl's arm a message before running to the edge of the seal where she slammed her hands on the ground. The symbols glowed brightly to the point where she had to cover her eyes and when it subsided enough she saw that the girl was gone. 'I hope I put the right location.' She sighed, standing up she kicked dirt to cover the symbols she drew.

The transportation technique could transport more people but with her current amount of chakra, it would only be enough to transport one. 'I shouldn't have used that much chakra for the escape…' She thought as her body trembled, clasping her hand over her arm to stop the blood she looked up as the chakra signatures were closer. Not wanting to be captured again she took a chance and opened a portal to who knows where hoping for the best.

Yukino: Age 12

Yukino's POV

Thump!

Bolting up from the floor I yelled before realizing where I was. Looking around me I saw the office I had been in since last night. With confusion, I looked behind me and saw the twenty-six-year-old kunoichi looking at me from the doorway. "Yukino you should take a break." She said helping me back up to my feet. Looking down groggily I saw the messy desk I must've fallen asleep on.

"It's…" yawn "fine… I just stayed up late. By the way, Yugito-san have you heard anything from Nekobaa?" I asked while stretching to wake up properly.

"No. Why? Were you expecting something from her?"

"Yes…" Sigh "I guess I will have to leave to pick it up." looking down at my desk I looked in one of the drawers taking out a sheet of paper. "Here," I said handing her the report on the plant I was assigned to days ago. "You were sent to pick it up weren't you?"

"No, I happened to be on my way here first." She smiled taking the paper. "After finding you in that condition. I need to make sure you are fine." She said referring to her finding me not long ago on the outskirts of Kumogakure. After making a portal in a last attempt to escape I ended up by random in the land of lightning, I was lucky to have ended up near Yugito-san who recognized me. To think that going with Nekobaa to collect the two tail's paw print would lead to me being saved that day.

"It happened more than a month ago it won't happen again…" I waved trying to dismiss the topic. "By the way, do you know where B-san lives?" I pointed to one of the corners of the room where there was a box filled with confetti and a fog machine. "He asked me to get a few things but he hasn't come to pick them up," I said walking up to the box.

"It must be for another one of his parties." She smiled, "I think I remember where it is."

・・・

True to her word Yugito-san remembered and as we were walking back I saw how some kids that I once saw were now wearing the village's forehead protector. "Was the genin exam today?"

"It is." She looked at where I was looking, reminding me that my friends back home had most likely already taken the test and passed it. At least that's what I could hope for. Seeing where I was I stopped. "I'll see you in a week."

"Be careful." Yugito-san waved as she left.

Looking up at the cloudy sky I closed my eyes for a second before feeling as if I was dozing off. Opening my eyes I continued walking towards the apartment I was living in. Entering the empty apartment I shut the door behind me and saw a note on the floor. Picking it up I shook off the dust on it and opened it to find a letter.

Reminder to pick up the new custom kunai from Nekobaa. Burn when done.

Reading the small note I remembered that I left it for myself. 'Where has my mind been lately…' I sighed taking the note to the kitchen. Turning on the stove I lit it and dumped the paper into the sink, watching as it slowly burned away. The story about Nekobaa was a lie I made up a while ago to have an excuse to leave the village for a while. Turning on the faucet to put off any embers I closed it and walked towards the empty room that had a bag under the bed. Picking up my bag I adjusted it on my shoulders.

Looking to the side I saw the closet and walked to it. Opening the doors revealed what I had been working on without anyone's notice. The closet had a map taped to the wall, on it were various notes and scribbles each dismissing rumors and marking towns that had been thoroughly searched. Closing the closet doors behind me I removed each note carefully and stashed it away in my library. The results of my search gave no results, which meant that I needed to leave and search elsewhere soon.

Packing away the few things I had I gave the room a quick sweep making sure to not leave anything behind. Leaving it the way when I first came here I left and headed towards the gate.

Konohagakure

Away from sight, I opened a portal leading to a hot spring town in the land of hot water. Staying there for the night I checked out before the sun rose and made another portal to Sora-ku.

Picking up my kunai from Nekobaa I put them away and created another portal to the shrine in Konohagakure. 'I'm back.' I thought taking in a deep breath of the air around me. Exhaling I looked around and saw the morning sun rising behind the trees. Guessing that I had some time to waste I placed my bag down and walked up the shrine to reverse some of the damages it might've suffered while I was gone.

Placing my hand on one of the support beams I sighed closing my eyes, wondering how it might've looked when it was well kept and clean. 'The many things that were hidden in plain sight,' I nearly squealed at the thought. 'In plain sight… The place where no one would expect it…' As if being hit with cold water I stumbled back and shook my head. 'How come I never thought of this before!' Hugging the beam tightly I thanked it, letting go, stepping back I looked at the shrine. It was still tilted and broken but I knew it was now strong enough to not collapse anytime soon. "Wait for me to get older and I'll fix you one day," I told the shrine before opening a new portal and going through to Konoha.

Exiting the portal I stepped foot on the roof of the academy not wanting to walk all the way here from the gate. Going up to the edge I looked around remembering the layout of the school clearly as if I hadn't left. Jumping up on the railing I gathered some water around me before jumping all the way down. As I was reaching the ground I used that water to slow me down enough so the landing wouldn't hurt me. The moment I touched the ground I stood up and ran to the tree I remembered being the closest to the window in Iruka-sensei's classroom.

Finding said tree I found a spot that would hide me while giving me a good view of the classroom. Opening a small portal I took out a polaroid camera and suppressed my chakra. With a smile, I looked through the little hole and looked around for anything interesting. Hinata sat in the room playing nervously with her fingers. Snap. Taking the picture I placed it down flat, careful to not touch the black area while I kept my eye on the lens.

Hearing the loud sound of the doors being slammed opened I quickly moved the camera towards both doors. In the back doors, I saw two girls enter pushing against each other as they seemed to be arguing. 'Is that Ino and Sakura?' Snap. Taking another picture I returned to the scene as they both ran down the stairs, stopping halfway. Their angry faces changed immediately as they reached a desk. Moving the focus away from them I saw Sasuke at the edge with his hands under his chin. Snap. 'Only Sasuke would be the source of this type of commotion.'

Hearing shouting I focused the camera back into the classroom to see Naruto crouching in front of Sasuke glaring at him. 'Interesting…' I thought as I took the picture the moment the boy behind Naruto bumped into him, forcing him to kiss Sasuke. Removing the camera from my eye I looked into the classroom as both boys moved away from each other. 'Did that happen?'

Looking down at my pictures. I grabbed the most recent one and shook it as the new image started to appear. Both boys were kissing, their expressions filled with shock. 'I'm definitely keeping this one for the album. The first kiss is important after all…' I chuckled focusing my camera once again in the classroom. 'Poor Naruto…' I sighed seeing the girls gang upon him. Snap.

Training field

Waiting at the other end of the field for Team 8 to finish I waved enthusiastically from the shadows of the tree as I saw the team going in their own separate ways. "Hinata!" I yelled waving her over.

"Yukino-chan?" She asked recognizing my voice. "You came back." She said reaching the shadows of the trees.

"Yep, and guess what," I said as I opened a portal taking out the pile of pictures I took throughout the day. "If you find any you like tell me so I can make a copy." I handed her the pictures.

"Oh," She grabbed the pictures looking at the most recent one which was her with team 8. Flipping the picture she saw little notes on the back. "Did you write notes behind each one?" She asked looking at the next ones.

"Of course, the next time I forget I will have these notes and pictures to help me." I pointed to the little notes on the pictures she handed back.

"But if you forget then how will you be able to access your pictures…" She asked referring to my garden and library.

"You're right," I sighed looking at the pictures still in her hand. "But I'm sure you will help me remember if I ever lose my memory." I smiled before pointing at the picture she was currently at. "By the way, is that Ino and Sakura?" I pointed to the picture of both of them sitting a row apart but glaring at each other.

"It is,"

"Really? I wasn't sure since they didn't act like that towards each other." I said taking out a small pencil and writing on the other side of it their names.

"I don't know much either but I heard that they had an argument… I think it happened around the time that you left the village," Hinata added looking quietly at the picture of both of them. "I wonder if they will be friends again someday."

"Maybe, who knows… people change sometimes," I added shivering lightly from the memory of the sand wrapping around me. 'They change in unexpected ways…' Sitting next to one of the trees I leaned against, 'It has been a while since I sat under a tree…' I yawned before closing my eyes.

Opening my eyes I saw trees and the forest around me. 'Where am I?' I thought unable to move my head to look around properly. Closing my eyes again I opened them again to see a young boy with long black hair sitting next to me. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Fever…" was all I could say before I closed my heavy eyes again. Opening them again I saw that I was in a different place. The trees above my head were shaped differently, feeling that I could move again I sat up slowly as I could feel the aching in my body. 'How long was I out?' I asked myself as I could only remember snippets of what happened while I was out.

"You're awake." A voice asked behind me. Turning my head slowly to avoid dizziness I blinked a few times to see the same young boy I saw now with a basket full of herbs.

"How long was I out?" I asked knowing it could've been a week since he found me.

"About a day." He said placing the basket down. "Has this happened before?" He asked.

"Yes… but it has been a while since the last time." I said trying to stand up. "I'm sorry for bothering you." I tried standing up but failing as my legs decided to give up on me halfway. Placing his basket down he lifted me by my arm and helped lean me against a rock. Sitting there I turned my head slightly to the side, seeing him arrange the small herbs he collected into different piles. "By the way, did you happen to see anything weird while I was out?" I asked noticing the simple clothes I was wearing. 'Did he change my clothes?' I asked myself looking with my eyes for my bag.

"Yes. It was surprising the first time." He said with a small smile. "It seems we have that in common."

'Common?' I thought. "Haku how long are we going to wait?" A deep voice asked behind me. Turning my head I held in my breath once I saw who spoke. 'Zabuza Momochi of the mist…' I thought internally as I remembered seeing him in both the Konohagakure and Kumogakure bingo books.

"Just one day." The boy replied as he was putting away the herbs.

"You don't have too-" Choking on my saliva I covered my mouth as I started coughing uncontrollably. When I stopped coughing, tears had gathered in my eyes. Wiping them away I continued my sentence in a more hoarse voice. "Watch over me."

"Your temperature went down not long ago, you should rest." He said as he walked over to me and placed a wet cloth on my forehead.

Sighing I reached over to take off the cloth, "My bag… there should be a blank scroll as well as graphite." I said as my eyes started to become heavy. Being handed my bag I took out the items and started sketching something before I slowly slipped to the side and fell over.

"Yukino-chan?" Hinata's voice called out to me. Opening my eyes I saw her looking at me worried. "You were talking in your sleep… Something about a mask." She said guessing what I would ask.

Nodding I remembered what I made to pay them back for helping me. A mask like that of the hunter-nin of Kirigakure and an outfit that will help keep up that disguise. Making that while they were distracted, which they weren't, I later found out that the ice I created in my sleep is what caught their attention. 'Haku… He seemed nice I wonder why he was with him…' I thought to myself before answering Hinata's question. "I had to make one not long ago." I sat up moving away from the tree. Turning slightly I looked for signs of frost seeing none.

"I've been meaning to say this but your new hairstyle looks pretty," Hinata said with a smile.

Touching the edges of my hair I nodded remembering how that boy with glasses had the nerve to play with me like that. "Hm. Now we both have short hair." I laughed moving my head slightly to the side showing off my short hair. 'I miss my long hair…' Opening a portal I took out my camera again. "But enough about that I still have to take one more picture." I stood up and sat down next to her. Leaning against her I held the camera away from us. Snap!

One month later

3rd POV

Twirling her red streak of hair Yukino glanced at the silent Anbu with a mask resembling a cat's that was next to her. 'I'm guessing that he got caught up with something,' she thought crossing her arms. The sound of the doorknob being turned caught her attention as she turned around and saw the man they were both waiting for. "Good, you are both here." The Hokage said walking towards his desk. "Tenzō let me introduce you to the new member of the Anbu, Fuyumi." He said motioning to the surprised girl in front of him, glancing at the man with the mask she gave the old man a questioning look since she didn't know about this. "Fuyumi will be your code name while you are in the Anbu."

"Wait-" she spoke up but was cut off.

"You will be part of Tenzō's team as of today. When he asks for you you will go on missions."

'He's grown bolder,' With a sigh, she motioned up and down at the man next to her, "Will I have to wear the uniform and get the tattoo?"

"You can get a temporary tattoo but the uniform is mandatory. Any more questions?"

Shaking her head she turned to the man who was silent the whole time, "I'm guessing I will be in your care." After he left she was informed of another person she was supposed to meet. Sitting in the office she sat down and waited, and waited until at one point she fell asleep.

Drip…Drip…Drip…Laying on the ground of a stony cell a girl with short blonde hair reaching her ears lay on her side on the ground staring at the steel door across from her. The sounds of the droplets counted the seconds that passed, with a sigh she sat up and walked to the edge of her cell making sure to not trip on the chain that was locked on her left leg partially hiding the seals on her ankle. "How long have you been here?" She asked the person on the cell that had a heavy-looking door.

Hearing no response she sighed once again and hugged the bars slightly. "The person that always visits you is called Kimimaro right?" She asked waiting for a response. "He seems nice. Nicer than Kabuto but still nice." Resting her face between the two bars she glanced down the hallway listening for anyone approaching. "Why are you here? Because I just was just dragged here because of my hair." She said twirling around the red streak on her hair that had become more noticeable over the years.

"Jugo-san?" She asked. Hearing no response she pushed herself away from the cell bars and walked over to the back of the cell where the water was dripping on top of a flower that had grown from her failed attempts. Using one of her nails she made a little cut on her finger.

Looking at the ceiling she timed the drops before flinging her blood on a falling water drop. Falling and falling the moment it hit the floor instead of making a dripping sound it made a small clink. Falling at her feet she picked up the small ruby she made.

Standing up quickly at the sound of footsteps approaching she held the ruby close, walking to one of the walls she removed a stone on the wall and put inside the ruby along with other rubies she had made and collected. Placing the stone back she quietly walked back to the flowers and kneeled before it facing the ceiling. "It's time for your check-up," a taunting voice said. Turning her head she saw the smug grin on the grey-haired medic's face.

"Kabuto," she growled.

Bolting up from her sleep she shivered and hugged herself. They had taken her because of her possible heritage but they forgot all about it the moment they noticed the oddities in her genes. Artificial humans were their conclusion. The fact that they were able to accurately guess it frightened her. Simple blood tests led to fights where she had to fight for her life all to see if stress could lead to changes.

'Maybe I should just let them kill me…' she thought one day as she was being led to the arena but as she was being led there she saw a girl she could never forget. The resemblance was unmistakable and the moment she said the name the girl reacted immediately.

A lump formed in her throat as she remembered that it was partially her fault why the girl was in this situation. With guilt weighing on her heart she sucked it up and kept going. 'If she lasted years here… I can make it too,' she resolved within herself as a plan to get out was running through her mind. Shijima will not be the only thing she will steal to annoy the boy she decided to take the jutsu he had developed and made it her own. Along with freeing a handful of his experiments.

A cough snapped her out of her memories as the man spoke up with worry. "You should return to Konoha sometime soon. Your position as a spy in Kumogakure seems to be taking a toll on you."

"I've been bringing back useful information and I haven't had suspicion thrown on me yet. But I will make up something and return within a few months." She shrugged trying to push away her memories to the side. Looking around she faced the old man. "Anyways who is this second person?"

・・・

Sitting in the training field with his legs crossed the blond boy stood up immediately once he spotted the man he was waiting for. "Kakashi-sensei! Do you know how long we've been waiting!" He yelled pointing at his teacher with a shaking hand.

"I have to agree today you're actually more late than usual." A pink-haired girl pointed out trying to hide her anger for waiting for hours.

"Don't be angry. Life had me stumble upon an old friend." He said giving a one eye smile.

"And that's supposed to make up for your tardiness?" A raven-haired boy shook his head.

"It should because they're around your age and a member of the Anbu." He said as a short fox masked figure walked up from behind him to see the three members of team 7. "I hoped that they would be able to teach you a few tricks…" he sighed. "I guess they came all this way for nothing.

"What?!" She whisper yelled fixing her new fox mask.

"It's been a long time. I'm sure you want to see how much Sasuke has grown." He whispered back. 'Clever…' she thought as she noted how this could also give him information about her. Her battle style and techniques as well as her skill level. "A lot has happened since I last saw you." He whispered remembering the few times they came across each other in the Uchiha district.

"Wait! Really?" Naruto asked running up to both of them.

With a sigh, she nodded seeing that bright grin on his face. Mentally she clutched her heart as she could feel the cuteness overwhelm her. 'He hasn't changed…' She thought tearfully. Clearing her throat she looked at the other two teammates. "I will need to know if your friends will be joining as well. So we can make a small bet." She said as a smile twisted on her lips.

"What kind of bet?" Naruto asked intrigued.

"If your team win's then Kakashi-senpai will have to treat all of us to barbecue. But if I lose then I will treat all of you."

"Why are you including me in it?" Kakashi said pulling out a book.

"A sensei's teachings reflect on his students, Kakashi-senpai," Yukino said shaking her head. Stopping she turned her head slightly and saw the title of the book he was reading, 'Icha, Icha Paradise.' Having never read that book before she was curious about it. "What's that book about?" She asked loudly.

"That?" Naruto sighed. "It's a pervy book Kakashi-sensei likes reading. Now can we begin the fight!"

"Only if Kakashi-senpai agrees on sacrificing his wallet."

"Hm?" He asked engrossed in his book. "Sure, sure." He said throwing his wallet.

Hiding her smile she opened the wallet to see that it was not the fake wallet she put in but a different one. 'Good thing I swiped his real wallet.' Closing it she nodded taking out her own. Doing the summoning jutsu she summoned Kitaro who was currently transformed as a ten-year-old boy. "Watch over this, please." She said handing over both wallets. "When I win we will eat barbecue." She whispered.

"I can't wait." He laughed.

Waving to her friend she turned around and faced the two team members who had been talking to each other assessing her. "Will both of you be joining?" She asked loudly.

"Hmph. Whatever." Sasuke said turning his head away pretending not to care.

"Hm… Well if Sasuke is not interested then I think I won't join either." She said but in her mind, she really wanted to.

Sighing Yukino shook her head mentally. 'He hasn't changed that attitude since the academy.' "Naruto since you're the only one then I guess this bet will be between us." Turning towards the trees she waved at the boisterous boy to follow intending to transport them both to her dimension and say it's genjutsu.

"Hm?" He looked between her and his teammates. "Why can't we do it here?" He asked as Kitaro skipped over with both wallets.

"Easy you seem to be only one to want to learn so you will be the only one to see whatever I show you." She said making sure it was loud enough for the others to hear.

"Hehe. Then let's go!" The boy said putting his hands behind his head.

Cough. Hearing this small cough she turned around and saw the raven-haired boy scratching his cheek. "I change my mind, I don't want to be behind that loser." He said as the tip of his ears showed a bright red. 'Cute.'

"T-then I do too!" The young kunoichi said glad to be able to join. "I don't want to fall behind, either."

"Fine. Follow me." Yukino said motioning for the team to follow behind her as she led them away from the training ground and their sensei. At one point she stopped and with one swift motion Yukino made a small portal and took out a naginata that she dove into the ground surprising the young genin. "This here will mark my base." Putting a hand into her pouch she made another portal and took out a cooking timer. "You will have precisely thirty minutes to take out this naginata from the ground. At one point I will grab one of you and bring you to base. To win you will have to pull this naginata out of this ground."

"Wait what happens to those that are captured?" The pink-haired kunoichi asked as Naruto nodded.

"The one captured can either wait for his friends to save them or they can escape and take the Naginata," Yukino added as Kitaro found a rock by the tree line to sit on so he could watch the field clearly.

"This just seems like a simple game of cops and robbers," Sasuke said disappointed as if expecting something more.

"That may seem true but when you go on missions there may come a point where one of you may be taken captive by the enemy. When that happens you start to wonder if you wait for your teammates to save you, expect them to complete the mission, or you complete the mission even though you are in an unfortunate situation." She said with a shrug. "I will clarify this by the end." Twisting the timer to thirty-one minutes, she sang. "You have a minute to think."

The moment the minute had passed she teleported away to a tree nearby. Standing there she watched the naginata while sensing where everyone was. Locating a certain boy she went back to the center to wait which didn't take long as she was attacked by multiple kunai. Taking out one of her own she deflected the ones that would hit her. Only allowing one to hit her side to give them confidence.

"Hyah!" She heard multiple voices say. Looking up she saw the shadow clones jump down towards her. Pretending to fall down on her knees she swiped the kunai from the ground and threw them at the clones aiming for areas that wouldn't be fatal. Poof! Poof! Poof! Taking advantage of the smoke she did the signs for the stun barrier and quickly placed them around the naginata except for one.

Laying face down on the ground she waited for the smoke to disperse. "Yes, we did it!" She heard Sakura yell from the direction where the kunai came from. Thump! With that, she ran in her direction. The moment she got close she sat up and pinned the girl down just as her raven-haired teammate yelled, "It's a trap!"

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled as he ran to help her from her predicament. Standing up the girl pulled the girl up and shoved her away. "Huh?" He stopped mid-run. "Wait. What's going on?" he asked genuinely confused

"I have my mindset on someone else," She said throwing a kunai towards a tree. Before the kunai could hit the bark it sliced the raven-haired boy's arm. "And that someone is you."

Walking back to the center she sat down and wiped the dirt from her shirt on purpose. Her wound that was there was now healed without her using the mystical hand technique on herself. "What the heck is she?!" Sakura yelled while dragging her teammate for a retreat.

Waiting there for a couple of minutes she sighed as no one had attempted to grab the naginata. 'They must be thinking of something good.' She thought with a smile as she had also used the time to prepare.

When they emerged from the trees she blocked both attacks from the boys leaving her open. Seeing the small opening Sakura threw kunai with wires to ensnare the blonde girl. Foreseeing this the moment she heard the wires she used the water she had gathered underneath the ground to block the incoming kunai. Using this small moment of surprise for the genin she grabbed Naruto's leg and threw him away knowing that he could use his shadow clones to recover.

Placing her hand down on the ground the seal formed surrounding the naginata. Standing up she turned around to see the raven-haired boy standing still within the seal. Walking up to him she took out a thin rope from her pouch and tied his arms and legs together behind his back. Removing the seal she smiled underneath her mask as she saw him squirm. "You're captured." She said raising her hand as it gathered water before piercing the ground with an icicle that she made as it got closer to the ground. Poof!

Turning away from the boy she took out the icicle and started forming it into small roses that she stabbed into the ground forming a circle around the boy. Left with one rose she twirled it around her fingers.

"Hey isn't that like Haku's ability?" She heard the loud boy say.

Curious she asked, "By Haku do you mean of a boy with long black hair and eyes?"

"You know him?" The boy behind her asked making her turn and face him.

"Yes, he helped me a while back. Where did you see him?" She asked before turning around and throwing the flower at the shadow clone running towards her.

"The land of waves. He's dead."

"Oh," she said as the roses that were closest to her became thornier. Sigh. "Well… at least now I know." She said as the thorns stopped growing. "Is that all you guys got?" She taunted the remaining members wanting them to mess up.

Which seemed to work as they abandoned strategy, wasting chakra and their tools. Every five minutes or so she would throw them away giving her time to check on the raven-haired boy's bindings. Until suddenly with two minutes remaining they did everything they could to keep her focus away from the boy behind her who was using the tools that his teammates threw to free himself. Seeing this the girl didn't do anything and kept entertaining them.

Ring Ring Ring. The timer rung loudly as the boy was an inch away from the Naginata. "Time's up." She sang as she gave a thumbs up to her friend that had been watching the fight.

Gathering everyone she sat them down on the ground while she stood on the naginata. "Now for the point of this activity." She said raising the timer. "I don't have teammates." She started which brought a look of surprise to the genin. "Because of that, it's up to me and only me to complete my missions. Any mistakes are my own that I have to correct or it means death to me." She explained before jumping off the naginata and pulling it out of the ground. "There was one time though that I was captured and that resulted in months of torture. I was alone so there was no one to help me. However, I saw my chance to escape and I took it." While she talked she thought back to that moment and the boy with white hair that helped her escape. 'The small tip she received from his conversation with her cell neighbor.' "That is all." She said turning away and walking towards her friend. "Now time for the barbeque!"

At one point she remembered to heal them and apologized for being too rough on them.

Konoha-Yakiniku Q

With everybody seated down the winner sat by the wall with her old acquaintance sitting across from her. Next to her was her mischievous friend who was having a lively conversation with the blonde boy. Next to Kakashi sat Sasuke and next to him sat Sakura.

"It's been a while since I ate here," The girl sang as she rocked slightly where she sat.

"Hm. Ramen would be better." The boy grumbled to the red-haired boy next to him.

"But meat is good too," Kitaro informed him as his stomach started to grumble. "See?" he said. "It's here!" He exclaimed seeing the server come with a plate of meat. Before the plate could arrive he looked at his friend next to him with sparkling eyes.

Nodding she waited for the right moment. Once the plate was placed down Yukino grabbed one of the tongs and was the first to dive in, grabbing the top pieces and placing them quickly on the grill. Arm up she activated the Sharingan by accident and eyed the meat carefully as she could see her friend tapping the table in anticipation. With one swift motion, she flipped the meat before realizing her eyes were activated when she saw the red glow reflecting on the tongs. Turning away she made sure to return her eyes to normal before returning to the meat. Taking it off the grill she placed the meat on her friend's plate that was extended within her reach. "Thank you!" he said as he had begun setting up her plate in exchange.

Sweating she lifted her mask slightly and added vegetables along with meat. "Woah!" She heard Naruto yell which caught her attention as she turned her head to see what made him exclaim. "You're a girl!"

Sigh. "I've been told," She said as she flipped the items. 'Why do people keep assuming I'm a boy? It's caused too many fights in the hot springs already…' she sighed once again remembering her experiences.

"Yeah but you're cute or wait… are you actually a guy?" He asked remembering the last time he made that same mistake.

Her ears went red as she accepted the compliment, placing the mask on the table she waved for his plate. "I'm a girl," she laughed slightly. "People make that mistake often." She said placing the cooked ingredients into his plate.

"Mhm." Kitaro held up his plate. "We think she may be a late bloomer." Receiving his share he turned to the others and asked, "What do you think?"

Turning all of their heads to the party they had ignored, they froze as they thought of the question. "Uh…" the pink-haired girl started looking between the smiling red-haired boy and the girl next to him. "I think she's pretty." She said which made the blonde-haired girl's face increase a shade of red, 'Now Ino can't say I'm flat as a board, cha!' She thought happily hoping the other would come in and see for herself.

"…" Staying silent Sasuke chose to drink some water.

"Well, I think you're a beautiful girl," Kakashi said seeing how the boy next to him wouldn't answer.

"I'm too young for you." She blurted out which made the boy next to him choke on his water. "But thanks either way." She added hiding her laugher as her face increased shades of red.

"Pfft. Your face is as red as your hair." Naruto laughed. Imagining it in her head she grabbed her mask and put it on to hide her face as she laughed.

・・・

"Kakashi-senpai your wallet," Yukino said as there was no more meat. Looking up she saw that there was a dummy where he was. "I had a feeling he would do that." She said with a smile as she turned to her friend beside her. "How much is in it?"

With a smile, he dug into his pocket and took out the wallet. "Enough to fill us."

"Are you guys hungry?" She asked the table as Naruto and Kitaro were the only ones that said yes. Calling over the waiter she asked for another order of meat. "Eat up. Kakashi-senpai's treat." She said with a smile.

Full she somehow ended up wandering into the forest. Seeing the familiar routes she started to daydream of the past, her eyes becoming slightly blurry as she remembered each path that she was following. With her mind elsewhere she was unaware of a raven-haired genin following close behind with his other two teammates following after him.

Emerging from the trees she took out a broom from one of her portals with a swift motion of her hand. Walking slowly to the shrine she inspected the wood looking for anything needing to be fixed. Finding it in good condition she went back to the front and started to sweep away the leaves and branches that had fallen. Once done clearing the path leading to the front of the shrine she walked towards the shrine and rung the bell three times before silently praying.

Snap.

Jumping lightly she put on her mask that was tied to her side and looked towards the trees. Now that she was no longer drowning in the memories of the past she could sense three familiar auras. One was on the ground and two were above the trees. 'When did they get here?' She asked herself. Placing the broom on the floor she entered the shrine and the moment she did she sensed him run towards her. Creating a shadow clone she ordered it to hide somewhere.

Increasing her own speed she went to the tatami mat with the hidden entrance and entered. Hidden in a corner she saw as the raven-haired boy ran in, standing in the center. Closing the entrance she felt her shadow clone poof away as she saw that it put the tatami mat back in place.

Stepping out of the shadows he immediately turned around and asked. "How do you know about this place?"

"Shisui told me." She answered while walking up to the tablet in front of the room.

"You knew Shisui?" He asked more curious than angry.

"Your friends entered the shrine…" She said facing upwards. Looking back at him she took off her mask, "Do you recognize me?" She asked not knowing what compelled her to want to talk to him.

"Yes, that day at the cemetery… You were there."

"Hm." She said tying her mask to her side. "My clan has a shrine too, you know. It is broken and falling apart. It also has a secret room like this one except that it contains jutsu." She waved her hand around. "But the only thing this room has is that." She turned around pointing at the tablet.

"So you came here to poke around?" He scoffed.

"And you followed me all the way here." She shrugged. "But you've been like that since we were younger so, hm." She shrugged.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. We met at the academy like everyone else." She said looking up. "I'm leaving there is nothing for me to see here." Walking past him she stopped halfway up the stairs. "See you." Walking the rest of the way up she exited and created a portal away from the entrance. Seeing her room through the other side she slipped through quickly in case he realized she never answered his question.