luv-kakashi

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter fourteen - the byakuya

chapter thirteen |

The room fell quiet as the last of the staff exited, the sound of Kakashi's soft steps filling the air as he walked in.

"Lord Hokage," Kakashi began as he knelt before The Hokage, "My mission in the Village Hidden by The Grass has provided substantial evidence regarding Kunoichi Thirteen."

"Does this evidence link Kunoichi Thirteen to Y/N Uzumaki, Kakashi?" The Hokage asked as his eyes narrowed, focusing on Kakashi intensely.

Kakashi raised his head and stood up slowly, to report the details of his latest mission. "Unfortunately, I couldn't gather any concrete evidence proving Y/N Uzumaki is Kunoichi Thirteen. However," he added before The Hokage could respond, "I managed to gather intel from the two shinobi who ambushed Team Two,"

The Hokage's brows furrowed, his gaze sharpening. "Go on."

"The kunoichi is named Fayelle, while the taller male is named Cash. Their mission was to capture Kunoichi Thirteen and return her to an organisation named The Byakuya."

The Hokage silently listened to Kakashi's report as he sat back, his expression unreadable. He drummed his fingers on the desk, eyes fixed on Kakashi, but his thoughts raced in his mind.

"The Byakuya... word of The Byakuya has been raised in the Kage Summit before," The Hokage sighed, "They were formed under the commission of the Mizukage."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. "The Mizukage? How are they connected?"

The Hokage didn't immediately respond, as he pieced together the fragments of a long-buried memory. "It was during a time of civil unrest in the Hidden Mist. The Mizukage believed in the necessity of a shadow force... much like the anbu system we have here. A covert organisation that could operate outside the boundaries of the village."

Kakashi processed the information in silence, his mind racing to connect the dots. "But if The Byakuya serves as a protective force, then why does the organisation work on a transactional level? I overheard Fayelle and Cash saying that their only duty is to 'complete the job and collect their money'?"

"Somewhere along the line, The Byakuya splintered," The Hokage explained, "Yagura Karatachi, the current Mizukage, and his leadership isolated Kirigakure from the other Great Nations. He's known as a barbaric and violent ruler... leading under a regime, civil unrest and rebel movement culminated within The Byakuya. They stopped serving Kirigakure and began persuing their own agenda."

Kakashi's face hardened as the realisation dawned on him, "The Byakuya... it must be a bounty hunting organisation. That must be what Fayelle and Cash were discussing. They also mentioned that Reaper-sama, who I can only assume to be their leader, has been affected by losing one of her top ninjas, Kunoichi Thirteen."

"Why are they desperate to get her back, Kakashi?" The Hokage asked.

"They mentioned that Kunoichi Thirteen can use blood manipulation, and their leader wants her back because she can kill and leave no trace," Kakashi replied.

The Hokage's eyes narrowed, he inhaled sharply and his expression hardened as Kakashi's words hung in the air. The Hokage leaned back in his chair his eyes scrunching up under the weight of what he just said. Then, with a loud inhale he reached into the stacks of files on his desk, pulling one out with a somber familiarity.

"This," he began, placing a weathered folder on the desk before him, "is Sakumo Hatake's last mission report."

Kakashi stiffened, frozen in place under the thick atmosphere of grief.

The Hokage opened the file, revealing hastily written notes smudged with dirt and bloodstains. "Sakumo's team encountered Kunoichi Thirteen during their mission in the neutral area between us and Kirigakure. They encountered Kiri shinobi and other ninjas in this area. According to his report, her use of blood manipulation was unlike anything they'd ever faced. And when one of his teammates was caught in the crossfire, Sakumo abandoned the mission to save his team."

Kakashi's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. He remained silent, staring past the Hokage, his mind racing through images he had tried to bury.

"Sakumo made the difficult decision to save what remained of his team," The Hokage  continued. "He retreated to ensure their survival, but the consequences of abandoning the mission were severe. He faced dishonor, disgrace—and eventually, his death."

His gaze softened, though his voice remained firm. "It's no coincidence that Kunoichi Thirteen's name resurfaces now, Kakashi. Finding any information linking Y/N Uzumaki to Kunoichi Thirteen is imperative. Those two shinobi wouldn't have attacked her without suspecting Y/N is their target..."

"Kakashi, I want you to keep an eye on Y/N Uzumaki and observe if she uses any blood manipulation techniques around you," The Hokage demanded, "Dismissed."

Cash and Fayelle shuffled through the corridors of The Byakuya praying that their presence would not alert Reaper-sama. The stone-walled corridors squeezed the last atoms of air as Cash and Fayelle exchanged a glance, their eyes nervously meeting—a short prayer of hope that they might make it out alive. Every step they took creaked against the wood floorboards. Each creak tightened the noose that hung around their necks. Each step is another close to death.

Failure within The Byakuya wasn't just a stain on their reputation as bounty hunters. It was a death sentence. Reaper-sama didn't tolerate weakness. Fayelle's heart drummed against her ribs as Cash silently shuffled beside her.

"It's fine, we'll be okay," Fayelle whispered, her voice barely audible.

Cash didn't respond. He swallowed hard as he followed Fayelle into Reaper-sama's office before holding his breath under her presence.

The room drowned in darkness, with the dim glow of a few flickering candles, casting an eerie shadow across the stone-cold walls. The light barely reached the four-quarters of the room, the cold and wet air choking Cash and Fayelle as they stayed frozen in place. In the centre of the room stood a desk, surrounded by a thick black curtain that concealed whatever lay behind it.

Reaper-sama sat behind the curtain, unseen to the shinobi in front of her but her presence was undeniable. The air thickened around Cash and Fayelle as they could feel Reaper-sama's gaze. A predatory focus that chilled them to their bones.

"Failure, again..." The voice was disturbingly calm with a deadly edge as Reaper-sama spat at Cash and Fayelle.

Cash sub-consciously reached his hand out towards Fayelle, his hand suspended in the air before his fingertips faintly brushed Fayelle's.

Reaper-sama tilted her head as she observed the two C-ranked Ninja's before her as she decided their fate. "And you thought you could walk my halls without bringing back my daughter... my princess?"

Fayelle swallowed hard, her throat dry as chalk as her pulse pounded in her ears. Neither of them dared to speak before her.

The room fell into a tense silence as Reaper-sama's words hung in the air, painfully stretching out the last few moments of Cash and Fayelle's death sentence. The cold seeped into their bones as they loomed in the darkness.

"There are no second chances."

Suddenly, the flames of the candles extinguished, plunging the room into pitch-black darkness as a loud thud echoed through the room before a bloodied and bruised man entered Reaper-sama's chamber.

"You called for me?"

"Kakuzu, where is my Y/N?" Reaper-sama asked, her words echoing through the room.

Kakuzu entered as he glanced at the two lifeless bodies lying on top of each other, blood pooling at his feet as it drenched his shoes.

"My my Reaper-sama, you sure do have a penchant for violence," Kakuzu chuckled as he kicked the bodies lying under his feet, "I have no idea where she is."

The candles in the room resumed their flickering, shedding light on the tension between Kakzuku and Reaper-sama.

"You seem to misunderstand your position, Kakuzu," Reaper-sama said vehemently.

"You see, I haven't misunderstood anything," Kakuzu laughed, "You have been losing more and more bounty hunters by the day, their bodies mysteriously disappearing... many heading to Orochimaru's lab and simply never returning. Many having been sentenced to death in your chambers. Yet here you are blinded by the loss of Y/N that you can't even see how crippled we have become."

Reaper-sama's mood turned sour as the gravity of his words smeared a venomous look on her face.

"You bastard, don't you dare tell me how to do my job."

"Haven't you noticed that many of our valuables have been going missing? Or the fact that our ledgers no longer add up? Or the fact that more and more A-ranked bounty hunters have managed to run from your grasp?" Kakuzu scoffed.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you were the culprit selling away all our fortune. Explain why your income increased suddenly last month." Reaper-sama spat.

"You know that I bounty-hunt more than any other shinobi here, don't act so confused you bitch."

Suddenly, a kunai ripped through the curtains as it flew towards Kakuzu as it grazed his earlobe, digging into the stone-cold wall behind him.

"Damn you, you insolent fool! I know you helped my princess escape, and I know that you are stealing from our ledgers and selling off our fortune. And when I find out, I will personally behead you and drink from your skull."

"Oh how scary," Kakuzu mocked, "I'm not worried about a bitch who hides behind a curtain and has us doing her dirty work. Besides, I have five lives to live off now."

Slamming the door of Reaper-sama's chamber, he stormed down the corridor and shoved past the masses of useless shinobi.

Night had settled over the Land of Frost painting the sky in hues of deep blue, the twinkle of the stars keeping Akira, Shisui and I company. The mission had been long and arduous, and the chill in the air nipped at our skin, but the team was in high spirits as we made our way back to Konoha.

Shisui glanced over his shoulder to find me hobbling for balance as I trailed behind him. My energy had been drained from my body and with each glance or turn I made with my head, the world around me spun relentlessly.

I could see Shisui walk towards me as my brain desperately tried to stop my vision from blurring with each step I took.

'C'mon eyes, don't betray me now' I mentally cursed. He reached to my side and noticed the slight tremor in my hands as I struggled for balance.

"That jutsu of yours... I'm never doing it with you again," I joked.

The air around us filled with his breathy giggles as he took my hand in his. "Y/N, you don't have to push yourself any further. I'll carry you back."

My eyes softly met his as his gaze softened.

"I'm fine Shisui, a bit blind and dizzy but it comes and goes, I'm fine, I promise," I said, as I removed my hand from his, determined more than ever to make it back to Konoha

Besides, being carried all the way to Konoha on Shisui's back?! I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about him more times than I care to admit.

There's something undeniable about the way his compression vest fits him perfectly, accentuating the strong lines of his shoulders and back. The feel of his body moving beneath me, the steady rhythm of his breath, and the warmth that radiates from him—it all sends my heart racing.

Suddenly, I was pulled from my thoughts with a short flick to my forehead.

"No, you're not," Shisui said softly, "Besides, it's my fault that you're dizzy. At least let me make it up to you by getting you home safely."

"Shisui are you sure... I don't want to be a burden." I whispered.

For a moment, his gaze met mine with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. There was a gentle sincerity in his eyes, but gazing further into his warm, onyx eyes showed something deeper that I couldn't quite put into words.

"Taking care of my team will never be a burden. Besides, it's captains orders," Shisui remarked me as he knelt in front of me so that I could climb on his back.

"Thank you, Shisui," I murmured, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks as I buried my face in his back.

The proximity was intoxicating, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself savor the closeness we shared.

"How's the view from up there?" Shisui chuckled, as his grip around my thighs tightened.

Every shift in his posture and the subtle firmness of his muscles, each slight adjustment he makes to keep me steady, only makes me more aware of how close we are.

The feel of his gentle, steady heartbeat felt electrifying. I couldn't help but steal glances at him – the way his curls fell slightly forward as he moved, or the way his jaw tightened with concentration.

"Meh, I've seen better," I said as I rolled my eyes.

I leaned towards him slightly, my head resting against his as my voice dropped to a softer tone, whispering in his ear, "Just promise me you won't drop me, okay?"

I could see the faint blush on his cheeks, and it made me smile. "No promises Uzumaki," Shisui chuckled, the sound vibrating against my back as he adjusted his grip.

I smiled, feeling a little more at ease despite the lingering butterflies in my stomach.

Akira threw his hands up in mock despair as he groaned loudly, "Seriously we're on a mission here, you two make me sick."

I couldn't help but smirk, leaning my head further against Shisui's, "Maybe we should leave Akira behind. He seems a little bitter."

Shisui snickered. "You're so right, that sounds perfect!"

Akira rolled his eyes as we walked off in the distance. "You guys may as well leave me behind. I'm going to have all my shinobi rights revoked from me as soon as we hit Konoha... and I'll spend the rest of my days as a penniless vagabond, begging for money as the rest of Konoha turns their cheek."

Shisui stopped in his track as we shared a silent smirk at Akira's dramatic monologue.

"That's quite the imagination you've got there," I teased as I watched Shisui stifle a laugh.

Shisui grinned, shaking his head, "Don't worry Akira, we'll toss a few coins your way when we see you begging by the gates."

Akira groaned again, picking up his pace to walk alongside us. "I should have never introduced you to Y/N, Shisui. You were never this mean to me before..." Akira rambled as he sighed in defeat.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

'What scum,' Kakashi thinks to himself after delivering his mission report to the Hokage.

His father, the great Sakumo Hatake, the white fang of the leaf, consumed with the guilt of shaming his village, killed himself all because of her.

If she proved to be Kunoichi Thirteen, he would never forgive her.

And across the Land of Fire, The Reaper suffers a massive loss. Yet, she's blinded from it all. All she wants is her sweet daughter. Her Y/N Uzumaki.

But y'all, Shisui giving us a ride?! No, not that type of ride (not yet atleast 😏) back to the village? He's so hot and so humble and confident I need him for real.

Hope you enjoyed this one, Suri

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter thirteen - a lost scroll

chapter twelve |

The air is crisp and cool, with a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves as a young, grey-haired shinobi makes his way to the Village Hidden by The Grass.

Y/N Uzumaki is a complete enigma. A kunoichi estranged from her family, a family now reduced to ashes from the gnawing black flames which engulfed the Village Hidden by The Rivers. A kunoichi who is known as Kunoichi Thirteen and is referred to as 'princess' by rogue shinobi.

Just who were these rogue shinobi? Why were they after Y/N? Just who is she?

Kakashi's thoughts churned with these questions as he jumped through the trees, determined to uncover the secrets behind the mystery of Y/N Uzumaki.

The crisp cool air of Konoha drowned out as Kakashi crossed the northern border into the Village Hidden by The Grass. He glances up at the murky grey clouds above him. The sun refused to show its head as the rain plunged down. Each raindrop hit his cheek reminding him of the events at Kannabi bridge as Kakashi's left eye started to ache at the memory of Obito's body crushed under the boulder.

Kakashi sighed as the rain continued to pour, drenching his appearance. He shoved his face into a bustling crowd on a busy road. Despite the relentless rain, civilians still went about their days, occupying market stands and food stalls. His hood covered half his gaze. But Kakashi didn't need much of his vision to realise that he wasn't going to learn much about Kunoichi Thirteen from this crowd. Kakashi slipped into a small, secluded tea shop, taking a seat in the corner as he planned out how he was going to uncover Y/N Uzumaki's past.

His thoughts were interrupted by the twinkle of the bell as the door to the quaint tea shop opened.

"Welcome to Kettle and Kunai!" a waitress greeted with a bright smile as she approached the couple who walked in, "How can I help you?"

"A table for two," the taller man said as he smiled back at the waitress, but Kakashi couldn't help but notice the foul expression of the woman standing beside him as she stomped towards their table behind Kakashi's.

"Cash do you understand how much trouble we're gonna be in?" the shorter woman spat in a fury.

"Calm down Fayelle, it's not that big of a problem," the man said, rolling his eyes at his partner.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me Cash," Fayelle retorted, "We had one job and that was to find Kunoichi Thirteen, which by the way we failed at and here you are stuffing your fat face with dango."

"We tried to find her, but she didn't have her ID... besides what does my face have to do with this."

"We're supposed to be back at headquarters by now, giving our report to Reaper-sama. She's going to kill us for failing at our mission."

"Fayelle you're so dramatic," Cash sighed as he licked his sticky fingers, "Besides, isn't Kunoichi Thirteen an A-ranked ninja? Capturing an A-ranked shinobi is far beyond our pay, so it will be fine."

"Reaper-sama doesn't care about our pay. What she wants is the princess," Fayelle said, as she crossed her arms, "She would've shown us some mercy if we'd returned by now. But I should have realised that you have a stomach for brains, you fucking idiot."

"Can't work on an empty stomach, Fayelle. You should know that already," Cash said, as he ate away his third plate of dangos, "Must you always look so angry, lighten up will ya?"

"Lighten up? Lighten up?!" Fayelle screamed, "Do you not understand how important this mission is?"

"No, what's the deal with Kunoichi Thirteen?" Cash asked through his teeth, his cheeks puffed full to the brim with dangos, spit flying out in the process.

"I hope you choke on your dangos," Fayelle spat.

Kakashi couldn't help but overhear the couple behind him bicker about Kunoichi Thirteen. He stared hard at the cup of green tea in front of him. His intel told him that the taller of the two shinobi was called Cash, which must be the same man sitting behind him now. 

"Kunoichi Thirteen, she's Reaper-sama's prized possession. They say that Reaper-sama personally scouted out Kunoichi Thirteen to join The Byakuya. She was automatically enrolled as an A-rank ninja when she registered with us," Fayelle muttered, "I have yet to see it myself, but her blood manipulation makes her untouchable and she can virtually kill and leave no trace... she's Reaper-sama's best weapon in her arsenal."

Kakashi's grip tightened around the delicate ceramic cup, the faint clink barely audible beneath the din of the tea shop. His heart beat a little faster as he processed Fayelle's words. Blood manipulation... kill with no trace. The term Kunoichi Thirteen took on a whole new weight.

If this Kunoichi Thirteen was perhaps Y/N Uzumaki, then Kakashi was dealing with more than just a rogue shinobi. This was someone who could potentially threaten the peace of Konoha. Not to mention, just what was The Byakuya?

He shifted in his seat slightly, ensuring his presence remained unnoticed as the couple continued their conversation.

"So, she wants her back because she's really strong?" Cash asked before downing his green tea.

"Reaper-sama and The Byakuya as an organisation has taken a hit since Kunoichi Thirteen has run away," Fayelle sighed, "Anyways all we can do is do the job and collect our money."

Kakashi's mind raced, piecing together the implications. If Kunoichi Thirteen was on the run, it was for a reason, and it meant she was vulnerable—something Reaper-sama could not afford. And if she truly possessed the abilities they described, she was not just a threat to the Byakuya; she was a danger to anyone who crossed her path.

Kakashi's thoughts sharpened. There must be a link between Kunoichi Thirteen and Y/N Uzumaki.

He stood up slowly, leaving a few coins on the table, his mind made up. He will discover Y/N Uzumaki's identity as he made his way back to the village.

The Third Shinobi War rages on ferociously. The borders of Konohagakure are densely packed with jounin and chunin deployed to the front lines. Amid this chaos, many of the genin teams have been stripped of their jounin captains as they conduct their ranked missions.

This is the first, high-ranked mission that we have been assigned to without Kushina sensei. But regardless, I don't doubt that this mission will go smoothly under the command of Shisui. His reputation as a formidable shinobi and his sharp tactical mind had earned all our respect.

Our mission required us to retrieve a stolen artefact from the Land of Frost, a Land many many miles away from Konohagakure. I look over my shoulder only to find Akira fighting a losing battle as the last threads of his patience wear thin. He pulls out a kunai, gripping its handle so tight his fist starts to shake.

"Akira, calm down. You'll only get yourself hurt," I said as I hurried over to Akira.

Shisui, who had been utterly engrossed in the mission plans with his head buried in a scroll finally looks up to catch the commotion before him.

"What's going on?" Shisui asked, his voice steady and authoritative. The urgency in his tone left no room for hesitation.

Akira clenched his jaw as he glanced at Shisui, "On Kami, I will just send myself to the grave right now."

"Akira, drop the kunai and let's just use our heads," Shisui said as he slowly approached Akira.

"Why do have to sleep in stupid tents every time we are on a mission!" Akira yelled as he yanked the tangled knots in his sleeping bag, frustration slowly eating away at his determination.

"Akira, you know it's part of the mission, and besides we don't have a choice in the matter," Shisui chuckled as he watched Akira fight himself over his sleeping bag.

"Maybe if you hadn't decided to roll around so much in your sleep, you wouldn't be stuck," I teased, stifling a chuckle at the scene before me.

Akira shot me a glare as he pointed his kunai towards me. "Oh, sorry I'll try sleeping like a statue next time," he mocked.

"Now, now let's get back to the matter at hand," Shisui said, gathering our attention in the process, "A week ago, an Anbu team were transporting The Scroll of Seals, which contains the jutsus for various forbidden Fūinjutsus passed down from the First Hokage. A group of men from the Land of Frost ambushed the team, stealing the scroll in the process... the Anbu team tailed them and found that The Scroll of Seals is being stored in a heavily guarded fortress."

"So, we need to plan how we will get into the fortress."

I listen intently but remain silent as I gather my thoughts. In 20km, we will be well past the border of the Land of Frost. Since we set up camp yesterday, I noticed the ground is uneven and jagged with rocks. We walked over sharp cliffs and steep inclines with the narrowest of ledges which seemed more prominent across the western side of the land.

"Hey Shisui," I muttered quietly as his gentle gaze settled on mine, his dark eyes filled with warmth and curiosity. His curly locks tilted slightly to the side as he smiled, an effortless smile that disarmed all my defences.

"Yeah?" he replied, his tone soft.

'Shit... don't look at me like that, Uchiha,' I cursed inwardly as I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

My heart skipped a beat, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze. Why do I feel like this? I've talked with Shisui and fought alongside him before, but he has never made me feel like this.

'Don't you find his friendly nature charming? As well as the fact that he's a strong shinobi'

Ugh. Curse you Kurenai, Rin and Anko

"We should approach and infiltrate from the west side of the fortress. The guards will be less vigilant since the terrain has been harsh and rough since we crossed the border into the Land of Frost... Shisui, do we know anything about these men who have stolen the scroll? Are they shinobi?" I said, steady and clear.

Shisui's eyes widened ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as I laid out my plan to infiltrate the fortress. His lips curved into a faint smile, a mixture of admiration and curiosity playing across his features. He leaned in, listening intently, his dark onyx eyes never leaving mine.

"From what the Anbu managed to gather, they're not shinobi, and they don't use any traditional jutsu methods. However, the Anbu couldn't investigate further, as the fortress's perimeter is laced with traps."

"Then we'll need someone to find out the exact position of the traps so that we can either avoid them," I pondered, "Diffusing them may expose our presence to them... Shisui, do you think your sharingan can detect the traps?"

"As long as chakra flows through them, it should be no problem."

"I guess we'll just have to dodge them as best as we can," I said with an exasperated chuckle.

"The scroll... It'll be heavily guarded, we need to figure out how to get the scroll without engaging with the enemy," Shisui explained, "I could flicker to the scroll and grab it without the enemy seeing. But I don't want the scroll to slip through our hands again. I need it to be indefinitely in our hands."

As the idea sparked in my mind, my heart raced. I could use my blood manipulation to seal the scroll, preventing it from falling into the wrong hands. It was a perfect solution, but there was a catch- Akira and Shisui would find out about my technique.

I glanced at Shisui, who was already watching me with those deep, curious eyes, waiting for my next move.

He trusted me, and that trust was something I didn't want to break. But this mission was too important. I had no choice.

"I have a way to seal the scroll," I said quietly, my voice steady despite the unease I felt. "It's... it's a Fūinjutsu passed down in my clan. I inscribe the symbols for the jutsu using my blood and chakra on my body, and it'll store the scroll in that body part. Only I can release the jutsu."

I explained as I lied about the details, Shisui nodded slowly, the wheels in his mind already turning as he found himself intrigued by my confidence.

"So, for your plan to work, I'd have to flicker you with me," he said, his voice low and appreciative, "You really thought this through, didn't you?"

He crossed his arms, considering the risks. "It's bold, but..." he trailed off, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I like it. It just might work."

Shisui's words fired a blush across my cheeks as I gently smiled at him, tucking a strand of my red hair behind my ear.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever's going on here, but I didn't sign up to be a third wheel," Akira exclaimed as he realised he wasn't assigned to anything.

"Shut it, Akira," Shisui barked, his cheeks painted a faint pink as he delivered a swift smack to the back of Akira's head. "You're on lookout duty. Use your earpiece to tell us if the coast is clear for our escape. Understood?"

"Yes, yes captain," Akira replied.

After packing all our belongings, we made our way towards the fortress quietly as to not draw attention to ourselves. Akira jumped up into a tree which gave him a clear view of the western side of the fortress. And just as I had predicted, nobody had been stationed in that area, allowing Shisui and I to slip through the entrance unseen.

The air inside the fortress was cold and pricked at my skin like a sharp needle. Shisui naturally took the lead, as he walked in front of me guiding us both through the dark, narrow corridors. He looked over his shoulder to find me panicked as I tried to navigate through the halls, holding the wet and grimy walls only to grimace at its feeling.

"Hey, you okay?" Shisui whispered as I stared at his Sharingan, captivated by its glow. The tomoe pattern slowly spun, casting a dim glow around us. I had seen his Sharingan countless times before- back in the academy when we first met, and on every mission we have been on since. But in this moment, it felt different... had his Sharingan always looked this pretty?

"Pretty..." I muttered, unable to tear my gaze away from him. Shit, why did I just say that? I quickly covered my mouth with one hand, realizing the weight of my words as my cheeks flushed with embarrassment hoping that he didn't hear me.

Shisui chuckled softly as he intertwined his fingers with my other hand, his rough calloused hand enveloped mine entirely as he drew soft circles across my knuckles. The warmth of his touch... felt electric, short wiring my thoughts as they screamed his name.

"There are a few traps up ahead, I don't want you to get caught up," Shisui reassured as he smiled.

We navigated through the traps down the corridor, each step careful, quiet and deliberate. The corridor opened to a landing, revealing the view of the floor beneath us. We spotted the scroll guarded by four men holding long spears, each with their backs to the scroll as they faced the four entrances into the room. Their armour flickered under the natural light which seeped into the room from the window above them.

Shisui and I backed up out of sight of the four men and shared a silent nod, a signal we agreed upon before we entered the fortress. I bit down on my thumb, drawing out my  blood and quickly began drawing the symbols for the sealing jutsu on my palm.

I activated my blood manipulation, channelling my chakra into the symbols imprinted on my thumb.

"It's ready," I whispered to Shisui as he nodded in response.

Shisui stepped closer, his body mere inches from my back and gently wrapped an arm around my waist. His other hand traced the side of my cheek as he lifted my face to meet his gaze.

His Sharingan eyes, they can see everything, even the blush which betrays my hidden feelings.

He leans down, his face inches away from my neck, his breath warm against my ear. "Hold on tight," he whispered.

I gripped the fabric of his flak jacket as he flickered us both towards the scroll. The world around us blurred as we appeared in front of the scroll in an instant. My hand reached out as my fingertips brushed against the ancient paper scroll, causing the symbols inscribed on my hand to swirl and take shape, sealing away the scroll in my palm.

Shisui's hold on my waist tightened as we flickered back to the corridor. He remained close to me as he held my hand before running down the corridor back to the entrance we initially slipped in through.

Behind us, the voices of the four men erupted in the air as they realised the scroll had slipped from them. There was no need to look back to see if they were after us as their footsteps echoed along the long narrow hallways as they chased after Shisui and me.

We climbed out of the fortress and continued running, praying they wouldn't catch up with us.

"Akira! Run!" Shisui commanded as he glanced at Akira who started to jump through the trees back home.

"Catch them!" The clamoring of the men rose to a deafening crescendo as they finally caught sight of us. The sound of armor clanking and spears being drawn echoed off the stone walls.

Before we could even react, Shisui was already moving. He swiftly tugged me closer, his body pressed against mine as he activated the Sharingan. "Stay close," he muttered, his voice calm despite the rising chaos.

Without wasting a second, he darted toward the shadows, pulling me along with him as we slipped between the cracks and branches of the trees.

We crouched on a tree branch just behind Akira as we listened to the guards' shout orders. My pulse raced in my ears, but Shisui's steady breathing beside me calmed the storm within. "Looks like they can't keep up."

"Oh Kami, that was quick," I cheered as I stood up from the tree branch.

Before I knew it, my entire view went blank as I lost my footing and fell to the floor.

"Y/N!" Shisui's voice rang out, sharp with concern, as he and Akira leapt down from the tree branch.

I blinked slowly, my vision blurry from the sudden impact with the ground. My body ached, and I could feel the sting of embarrassment creep up my cheeks more than the pain itself. Before I could sit up, Shisui was already at my side, his hands gently lifting me up to a sitting position. His face was inches from mine, brows furrowed with worry.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his usual teasing tone replaced with genuine concern.

Akira stood nearby, arms crossed but his expression showed a rare flash of worry as well. "You good, Y/N? Thought you had better balance than that donkey."

I winced, holding my head as my view became blurred and dizzy.

"I'm sorry I don't know what just happened."

Akira knelt in front of me as he gestured for me to follow his finger as he moved it across my face, "If I had to take a guess, I think all that flickering messed up your ear balance so when you got up, you fainted."

Shisui's eyes softened, and he let out a relieved sigh, his hand lightly brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face. "Just don't scare us like that again, alright? I'd prefer if you didn't test gravity while we're being chased."

Just as we thought we were in the clear, a long sharp spear cut through the atmosphere barely missing Akira. The four armoured men appeared from the shadows as they cornered us against the tree.

Shisui and his quick thinking managed to steer of the four men briefly as his fireball jutsu forced them to stagger back, but they quickly regrouped as their weapons gleamed in the darkness.

"Akira, stay with Y/N," Shisui commanded as he pulled out a kunai from his jacket.

"No, you're outnumbered. I can help!" Akira yelled.

"Akira, don't undermine my command. Stay with her." 

Shisui turned his focus to the enemies in front of us as he flickered in and out of our view, his movements swift and precise, each strike pushing them back further.

Akira clenched his fists, clearly wanting to argue but the intensity in Shisui's voice left no room for debate as he started his medical ninjutsu on me.

One of the armoured men slipped away from the chaos, creeping silently along the shadows. His gaze locked onto Akira, who was crouched beside me, keeping watch while I recovered. The man moved with an eerie stealth, his spear held low to the ground, its tip gleaming under the moonlight.

Without warning, he lunged forward, thrusting his spear toward Akira's side. The sound of steel slicing through the air was the only warning Akira had.

"Akira watch out!" I screamed. I tried to push myself up but legs gave out, weak from the countless flickering.

Akira gritted his teeth and rolled to the side, just avoiding the deadly spear's second strike. With one swift motion, he pulled out a kunai, blocking the man's next attack. The clash of metal rang through the night as the two struggled, Akira's face contorted in pain but refusing to back down.

"Earth style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Akira yelled as one of his clones emerged from the earth, dragging the armoured assailant down into the ground. Akira pressed two of his fingers at the cervical pressure point in the armoured assailant's neck as he released high-pressure chakra to the point, rendering him unconscious.

Akira leaped through the dense canopy, his breath ragged and his side still stinging from the wound. He winced with each movement but pushed forward, determined to find Shisui. The trees blurred past him as he scanned the area, the dark shadows of the forest making it harder to track his teammate.

"Shisui!" he called out, his voice barely audible over the wind rushing past his ears.

In the distance, he spotted the familiar silhouette darting between the trees as he quickened his pace, landing on a nearby branch. "Shisui, I'm here," he panted as his grip on his kunai tightened.

"Akira!" Shisui yelled, "I told you to stay with her!"

"And let you just take these guys out on your own? Yeah right," Akira said as he rolled his eyes.

Akira and Shisui, back-to-back, sent a barrage of kunai and shuriken to the remaining three men.

"Shisui... it's been a while since we fought like this. What do you say? Shall we hit them with our jutsu?" Akira asked as a smirk painted across his face.

Shisui glanced over his shoulder, a grin forming on his lips, "For old times sake."

With a swift nod, both shinobi leapt into action, their movements synchronised like a well-rehearsed dance without missing a step. Akira's chakra flared around them as the air around them began to stir as he prepared his Wind release. "Don't fall behind Uchiha."

Shisui chuckled as he weaved the hand signs for his Fire release igniting between his palms.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"      "Wind Style: Gale Palm!"

The massive fireball that Shisui released collided with Akira's wind, causing the flames to burn into an unstoppable inferno. The combined jutsu engulfed the remainder of the men in a blazing destruction.

"Not bad for old times," Akira chuckled, as he immediately started medical ninjutsu on himself at the point where the shaft of the enemy's spear bruised him.

"Akira..." Shisui sighed, "That was incredibly reckless of you. I gave you a direct order to stay with Y/N which you disobeyed, and whi-"

"Look, its no big deal Shisui. I dealt with the man who approached me and Y/N and promptly came to back you up when I saw that you were fending off the other three," Akira interrupted as he pleaded his case.

Shisui's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "Akira, it's not about what I want. It's about responsibility. You're an excellent shinobi, but you can't just bend the rules when it suits you—especially when it comes to medical ninjutsu. You know how strict those laws are for a reason."

Akira clenched his fists, frustration burning in his eyes.

"The Hokage has entrusted us to follow the rules, not because they're easy or convenient, but because lives depend on them."

Akira turned away; jaw tight. "So, what now? I get dragged before the Hokage and stripped of everything?"

"No," Shisui said quietly, "but there will be consequences. I'm not doing this to punish you—I'm trying to help you. I don't want your talents wasted because you refused to listen."

Listening to their conversation, I couldn't help but feel guilty now that Akira will get punished. All because I got a little dizzy and fell from a stupid tree.

"Akira, I'm so so sorry. You only jumped into battle because I couldn't protect myself... protect us," I said quietly.

"No," Akira said offering me a hand, "You were injured. People get injured on missions all the time. It's my responsibility to heal you, not to recklessly jump into battle like that."

I took Akira's hand as he helped me find my footing, but I still found my legs to be weak.

"Akira, you are our friend, we will stand by you no matter what," Shisui reassured as we made our way back to Konohagakure.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Suspicion brews as Kakashi ponders just who this Kunoichi 13 is. A kunoichi who can virtually kill without leaving a trace. Kakashi can't help but shiver at the thought as his mind wonders back to when his father tragically passed away, when word of a blood manipulating shinobi came into contact with his fathers platoon. 

On the other hand, forced proximity between Y/N and Shisui?! He's so effortlessly smooth with it, I love him. And poor Akira being forced to witness all of this. 

I would like to officially announce that Shisui x Y/N is underway, how cute! 

I also have a new obsession and it's piplup. 

Loving you always, 

Suri

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter twelve - sleepover

chapter eleven | chapter thirteen

Sumire, why are you in Konoha?" I asked, my head resting on her lap as she played with my hair.

Her fingers froze for a moment, then slowly resumed, smoothing out my strands. She traced my cheek softly before giving it a playful pinch. "Why else?" she replied, "I'm here for you."

"That's not what I meant," I said as I raised my head to meet her gaze, "How are you physically here? How did you leave the Hidden Rivers Village? Why did you leave?"

"My, that was a lot of questions, little one," she chuckled softly, "Let's make this more fun—how about a game? A question for a question, and I promise I'll tell you everything."

Her playful smile marked a thin veil disguising unreadable memories that have hardened with time.

"Okay, I'll ask first," Sumire said point-blank, her tone suddenly sombre.

Her gaze locked onto mine, unwavering, as the playful air between us dissolved, "Two years ago after mother's death, where did you go?"

The silence between us was palpable, as each tick of the clock heightened the dense tension between us.

Telling her the truth will be too much for her to handle. Telling her the truth will only cause her to worry. Telling her the truth could shatter the delicate, fragile peace that we have now.

"I was doing missions in Kirigakure, I was still technically a chunin of the Hidden Mist Village so one of my old teachers took me back," I said, lying through my teeth.

I stare down at my palms, swallowing the truth of my lie. I'm disgusting. These hands and blood of mine have killed—relentlessly, brutally, and violently. Shinobi, civilians, criminals. But at the end of the day, they were all human. Each life, a soul lost because of me. I've been reaping lives on the orders of others as if life itself had no value, no meaning.

And on a selfish whim, I don't want Sumire to see me as a cold-hearted murderer. I don't want her to look at me and see a monster where her little sister used to be—the same sister who once dreamed of simpler times in our cramped attic, making up stories of a brighter future.

"So that Lady who was there the day mom died was a teacher of yours?" she asked.

"Hey! It's my turn to ask a question," I remarked, "So how did you, a person whose legs don't work, end up in Konoha, many, many miles away from the Hidden Rivers Village?"

"Ah," Sumire said faintly, her fingers stilling in my hair, "It wasn't easy, but when you're determined, the distance becomes irrelevant."

"Sumire, I'm being serious. Stop avoiding my question," I said, my tone firm as I sat up to face her directly.

She sighed, the glint in her eyes fading. "You're too inquisitive for your own good, little one. After mother's death, father wasn't very kind to me... In a way, we lost both you and mother when you left." She glanced away, placing her hands in her lap.

"He started drinking more... It was a nightmare," she continued, her voice trembling. "He turned the house upside down, searching for more money to drink away. And one day, he decided that I was too much of a burden for him to look after. After all, I'm disabled and unable to work. I bring nothing to the family but trouble," she sniffled, wiping away her tears.

"It wasn't long before he kicked me out of the house. Thankfully, some of the clan members took me in but I just couldn't bring myself to accept their help," she continued, her voice heavy with pain.

"I just couldn't bring myself to burden them... it would have been far too cruel. So, I just left, but I didn't get very far because well I'm disabled," she laughed dryly, "A shinobi found me and helped me get away from father, from the clan and he let me stay here... he said that I'll be safe here and did some sort of jutsu and said that traces of chakra energy will be hidden from other shinobi."

My eyes start to sting as I listen to her story. The pain and the loneliness she endured flooded over me like a wave.

"I'm so sorry Sumire," I cried, "I didn't know that leaving you caused you this much pain. I'm so so sorry."

"It's not your fault, little one. You had a duty to do," Sumire said, her voice softening. "I'm sure at some point, father would have kicked me out anyway. He never truly cared for either of us."

The tears wash over me, and I can't help but pull Sumire into a hug. Her frame is fragile against mine, and I hold her tightly, hoping to offer some comfort.

But wait.

I pull back slightly, my confusion and panic evident in my expression as my thoughts scramble to piece together the details of her story. Something doesn't add up. Why would a shinobi house a fugitive and conceal her trace?

"What do you mean that a shinobi helped you escape? A shinobi led you to this dingy shack and said that you could stay here?" I asked.

"Little one, you're terrible at this game—it's my turn to ask a question," Sumire chuckled, wiping away the last of her tears. "So, why did you cut your hair so short?"

I stared at her, frustration mounting. "Here you are, worrying about my hair when a so-called 'shinobi' takes you to this cabin, installs you in here erasing all traces of your chakra. Sumire, who is this man?"

"Nuh uh, answer me first."

"Fine, when I was doing my missions, my long hair stuck out like a sore thumb. It's just so bright and red. It didn't take much for enemy shinobi to recognise me as an Uzumaki. So, I cut it," I said, "Tell me, who is this man?"

"I... I can't seem to remember his name; he said that if I followed him, I'd meet up with you. So, without thinking twice I went with him."

"You're telling me you followed some random stranger, who for Kami knows why, knew who I am, and promised you could meet me?" I snapped, my voice rising in disbelief. The last threads of my composure had finally given way.

Sumire's eyes widened slightly, her fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap. "I didn't think it was dangerous," she whispered. "I was desperate to see you again."

The panic inside me bubbled over. "But that's just it, Sumire. You don't know who this man is or what his intentions are! What if he's already watching us? What if we've been played this whole time? What if he's related to someone I've killed in a mission and has installed you here to take vengeance by hurting you?" I stood up, pacing, my mind racing with every possible worst-case scenario, "If we try to leave Konoha, Kami knows if he will follow us..."

"I didn't think it would be like that," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just... I thought I was doing the right thing by coming here. I didn't mean to put you in danger, Y/N, I swear."

She lowered her head, guilt etching itself into every line of her expression. "I'm sorry... I just wanted us to be together again, away from all the danger."

I stopped pacing across the room as my thoughts tried to piece together who this 'shinobi' was.

"Sumire... what did this person look like?"

"I couldn't really see what he looked like, he wore a mask and he had a really deep voice."

Sumire's words sent a chill down my spine. "A mask and a deep voice?" I echoed, my mind flashing to the masked man who followed me from The Byakuya to the Hidden Rivers Village.

"Yeah... He always kept his face hidden. He said it was for my protection," Sumire continued, her voice trembling slightly. "Actually... I don't think he ever told me his name either, but he seemed to know everything about me—and about you."

Shit, shit, shit. It must be him. It must be the same masked man who burned down the village. The same masked man who wants me to spy on Kushina.

My heart pounded in my chest like a drum as my breathing became erratic and shallow as the realisation sank in. Shit, the masked man had gotten to Sumire long before he hunted me down. He must have been watching us from the shadows for who knows how long, always lurking just out of sight. He must have been. My chest tightened as every worst-case scenario ran through my mind.

"Y/N are you okay? Is there somet-"

"This man, we can't trust him," I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. Without waiting for a response, I rushed to the shelves, pulling open each drawer and shelf. My hands trembled as they fumbled through the scattered paper and clutter, desperately searching for an empty scroll.

"Y/N... are you in trouble?"

My mind doesn't register the question Sumire asked as it hangs in the air. I tear open the empty scroll with trembling hands, biting down on my finger until blood wells up. The urgency gnawed at me. I need to do something, anything to save Sumire.

"Y/N... what are you doing?" Sumire's voice wavers behind me, but my focus stays locked. I can't afford to lose control now as I draw out a jutsu on the scroll before inscribing the last few symbols.

"Sumire, this scroll contains a sealing jutsu," I explained, my voice trembling slightly as I rolled up the scroll. "It's a specific type of sealing jutsu... when you open the scroll, it will release my chakra, a signal that only I can feel. If that same masked man or someone who works with him shows up here, open the scroll and I'll know and I'll come to you."

Sumire's eyes widened as she watched me, her hands holding the scroll tensely.

"But... why do I need something like this?"

I couldn't bring myself to meet her gaze, "I don't know... I'm sorry. But we can't trust this masked man. We need to be prepared."

After handing her the scroll, I say my goodbye to her before making my way out of the dingy cabin and through the densely packed forest.

He must have anticipated my departure from The Byakuya long before I even made my decision. Had he been watching from the shadows all this time, pulling the strings without me knowing? It was the only explanation. It must be.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by a grappling vine emerging from the earth as it wrapped around my leg, stopping me in my tracks as I stumbled to gain my balance.

Kami, why does the floor love me so much?

"Long time no see Kunoichi Thirteen!" a voice chirped from above me.

"Oh, it's you, Zetsu," I said, anxiety coiling around my chest.

"Leader-sama wants updates on the Nine tails Jinchuriki," Zetsu said, as his tree branch wrapped around my leg tightened.

"What about her?"

"Cmon Princess, you know better than to play dumb with me."

"I have nothing to report about Kushina Uzumaki," I said, my voice unwavering as I refused to give up information about Kushina sensei.

Zetsu's grip on my leg loosens as he steps towards me, kunai in hand. His eyes glint with and a sinister smirk painted across his face.

"Dear Y/N, you're making me angry," Zetsu chuckles. Without skipping a beat, he drives a kunai through my arm, dragging the sharp blade down my arm. The metal rips through my deltoid muscle, relentlessly tearing away at my flesh as he twists the kunai over and over again.

I bite down hard on my tongue, trying to stifle the scream that threatens to leave my throat. If I scream now, the shinobi guarding the village gates will hear and will undoubtedly find out about Sumire and then my identity.

Besides, I can't give Zetsu the satisfaction of hearing my pain.

"Don't cross me again. The next time we meet I expect a full report on Kushina Uzumaki," Zetsu spat, as he pulled the kunai out of my arm. "Bye bye Y/N!" he cheered before seeping back into the earth.

My knees give in to the pain, causing me to collapse to the floor. I clutch my bleeding arm, teeth clenched tightly to suppress any sound. My mind races with fear and dread—how long will it be before Zetsu finds me again and demands answers about Kushina Sensei? What if he goes after Sumire?

My grip on my arm tightens as I try to stop the bleeding. Blood Manipulation: Blood bind. The blood which poured out slowly came to a halt as a thick mesh formed over the wound. The intense pain started to subside, replaced by a thick clot over the surface of my skin. The barrier of blood continued to pulse faintly, a constant reminder that this was my life now.

The thought of betraying Kushina sensei to the masked man at the cost of Sumire's life. Both their lives hung in the balance, suspended by a thread of my own making. The pressure of the situation, the looming threat of Zetsu and the masked man and the constant fear for both of their safety created a churning storm within me.

But for now, all I can do is play the role of the orphaned Y/N Uzumaki who has been taken in by the Leaf Village. I pick myself up from the ground, and after having scouted my surroundings, I make my way to the village towards Rin's house.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Making my way through the village at this hour has become clockwork. I slip through quiet side streets that are hardly occupied by civilians, much less by shinobi. The narrow alleys and corners provide me with respite from the ever-present watchful eye of any shinobi tailing me. Each step is methodical, each turn a familiar path in my nightly routine. The dim streetlamps cast long shadows, and the occasional rustle of the night breeze is the only sound that accompanies my careful movements.

I stand in front of Rin's door, contemplating knocking on her door as uncertainty shakes through me. Rin somehow convinced me that a sleepover is just what I need to assimilate into Konoha better and to make new friends. But my run-in with Zetsu shook me to my core, reminding me of why I am even here in the first place.

My very existence in Konoha is temporary, with Kushina sensei's life hung in the balance as well as the hope of a future with Sumire.

There's no point in turning back now, Rin is a shinobi I'm sure she has picked up on my chakra outside her door.

I lift my hand and knock gently, each tap quiet but deliberate. Moments later, I hear a hurried shuffle of footsteps approaching from within. The door creaks open, and Rin's face emerges, her eyes widening as they meet mine.

"You made it!" she cheered as she held my hands, ushering me inside her home, "For a second, I thought you wouldn't come."

She takes me into her quaint living room, decorated with soft, warm fairy lights which twinkled on the walls. Knitted quilts and blankets were scattered across the floor in front of the TV, as a movie mindlessly played. Rin gestured me to sit down as she handed me a warm cup of green tea.

"Y/N, I want you to meet my friend Kurenai," Rin said, introducing me to her friend with long dark hair that falls straight down her back and deep crimson eyes.

"It's nice to meet you Y/N! Rin's said so much about you," she chirped as Kurenai took a seat next to me.

"Thank you for letting me join your sleepover," I chuckled. "I've never really done this before. I'm not too sure what I'm meant to do. Was I supposed to bring something?" I said nervously before darting my gaze between the two girls.

"You've never been to a sleepover?!" Rin shouted in shock, "The pressure is high Kurenai, we need to make her first a good one!"

"You're gonna love it Y/N!," Kurenai chuckled, "Except, we're missing just one other person."

"I wonder if she'll ever show, you never know with Anko," Rin sighed as the two girls settled next to me on the couch as we sat and watched the movie that played on the TV.

"Were you guys in the same class back in the Academy?" I asked inquisitively.

"Yeah, all of us in our class are pretty close," Rin answered, "There's a whole bunch of us. Even though we're on separate teams we still meet up from time to time."

"What about you? Are you close with anyone from the Academy?" Kurenai asked as her soft crimson eyes glanced towards me.

"I wasn't in the Academy for long, but I get on well with my teammates," I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear reminiscing the times I've spent with my teammates so far. Kushina... Shisui... and Akira hold a dear place in my heart. It's something I never planned to happen in all my time here.

"Kurenai, did you know Y/N is on the same team as Shisui?" Rin exclaimed

"Really?! Tell me, what's it like being on the same team as Shisui of the body flicker?"

"I mean he's a really formidable shinobi, I even knew of him when I was in Kirigakure and he cares a lot for our team, always looking out for us and sensei."

"Yeah, we knew he's strong, but what I mean is that don't you find his friendly nature charming? That and the fact that he's a skilled shinobi." Kurenai continued, her tone light and teasing.

"W-what do you mean?" I stuttered as a blush painted my cheeks.

Kurenai's teasing smile widened as she noticed my reaction. "Oh, nothing much! But I think that reaction says a lot, Y/N"

"You should have seen Y/N and Shisui at the picnic a few days ago," Rin chuckled, adding fuel to the fire. "They were stealing glances, whispering to each other, and giggling nonstop!"

"W-what?!" I stammer. "No, we aren't like that! I mean he's a huge dork and he can be funny at times... But there's no way we are like that, right?!"

I remembered how he always had a way of making me feel seen and heard, even when I tried to hide what was really bothering me. The way he'd look at me with those warm, understanding eyes, like he could see right through the facade I put up. And the way he smiled—Kami, that smile—so genuine, so infectious. It made the weight of the world seem a little lighter, even if just for a moment.

My cheeks grew warmer as I recalled the way he'd ruffle my hair or flick my forehead when I was lost in thought, his touch lingering longer than it needed to. How sometimes, when he thought no one was looking, his gaze would linger on me, soft and thoughtful, like he was trying to figure out what was going on in my head.

Wait, was I... was I really thinking about him like this?

Rin's laughter pulled me out of my thoughts, and I blinked, realizing I had been silent for too long. "See? She's already off in delulu land thinking about him," she teased, nudging me with her elbow.

"N-no, I was just... I mean, we're just teammates!" I tried to protest, but even I could hear how weak it sounded.

Kurenai leaned in, her smile gentle now. "It's okay, Y/N. You don't have to pretend with us. It's obvious you care about him, maybe more than just as a teammate."

I bit my lip, looking down at my hands. Could they be right? I'd always admired Shisui as a shinobi, as a friend, but was it more than that? Did I... like him?

A small, tentative smile tugged at my lips. Maybe, just maybe, there was something there. Something that went beyond the battlefield, beyond our roles as shinobi. And as terrifying as that thought was, it was also strangely comforting. Because if there was anyone who could make me feel this way, who could make me believe in something more, it would be him.

"We're only playing with you Y/N," Kurenai reassured, "Well, it's good to see you settling in we..."

"Bitches, today we become women!" a voice screams, interrupting Kurenai. The sound of the front door being kicked open echoed through Rin's house as a kunoichi dressed in a mesh scanty top and shorts walked in.

"Anko, you know you could have just rung the bell, and I would have opened the door for you," Rin sighed as she welcomed Anko in.

"You know I like to make a flashy entrance Rin," Anko said as she made her way to the couch. She marked her territory on the couch, manspreading between me and Kurenai.

Anko's enthusiastic approach caught me off guard. "You must be the gorgeous, new Uzumaki girl," she exclaimed, her hands gripping mine firmly. In one swift motion, she pulled me closer and tilted my chin up so I had no choice but to meet her gaze. "Are you single by chance? And into women?"

If I wasn't as red as my hair before, I certainly was now. I quickly pulled my hands away from her grip, hiding my face between my palms, my brain short-circuiting from her unexpected comment.

"Anko don't assault her! Besides she's younger than us!" Kurenai sighed as she stood between me and Anko.

"Sorry no I'm not into women," I whispered, as words returned to my mind, "And yes I am single." [Author note: justice for the gays!]

"Better luck next time Anko," Rin laughed, as Anko's mood deflated as she slouched back onto the couch. "Anyways what's up with the 'Bitches we become women' comment?"

"Oh! Here," Anko said, jumping up from the couch as she pulled out a DVD from her pocket, "This movie will teach us everything we need to know about being women. About using our bodies to get what we want!"

"You're gonna make us watch porn?!" Kurenai asked horrified as she watched Anko dance around the living room.

"No... technically no," Anko argued as she watched Kurenai and Rin roll their eyes, "Hear me out! Imagine this... we are sent out on an espionage mission and our only weapon on our hands are our best ass'n'tits."

"Our what?" I questioned.

"Our assets," Anko coughed out. "Cmon, it'll be fun and maybe you two could take some notes. Maybe you'll be left inspired... Rin might even grow some balls to ask out Kakashi! And you Kurenai, maybe you'll stop running away from Asuma each time he comes to talk to you," Anko argued, calling out each of her friends before her gaze settled on me.

"And you, Y/N I'm sure that this movie will teach you just how to seduce... guys help me out here, who is she into?" Anko muttered as she looked at Kurenai and Rin.

"Shisui." The pair of them replied without sparing a second.

"What, oh Kami help me," I whispered as I realised I was playing a losing game.

"That's it. Our very own Y/N will be the one to seduce Shisui Uchiha!" Anko exclaimed as a light bulb went off in her mind, "And I can sit back and watch as you make me proud!"

"So should we just kick Anko out right now?" Kurenai asked deadpanned as all three of us held up our hands in agreement.

"You guys! You're so mean! What if this is a dream of mine?"

"You should dream bigger, Anko," I giggled, as we watched Anko collapse on the couch giving us all the silent treatment.

"It's okay she'll get over it soon," Kurenai reassured me as she took a seat next to me.

"Okay let's just watch a movie. I'll go put some rice in the cooker for us to eat," Rin said as she walked off into the kitchen.

"My movie?" Anko muttered, giving me and Kurenai a pair of shit-eating puppy dog eyes.

"No!" we said simultaneously, as Anko stuffed her head between pillows, refusing to make eye contact.

All four of us settled on the couch as we watched the movie. It wasn't long before soft snores filled the air as we watched Anko drool away on her pillow. Kurenai and Rin gently draped a blanket over her sleeping figure as I adjusted her pillows.

"I'm so happy you came today," Rin whispered to me, "I know that Konoha could never replace your family and your real home."

"We want you to one day call us your family," Kurenai added as they snuggled up to me.

My heart clenched. How could they, these people I barely knew, offer me something so precious when I am only here to betray their very trust.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Y/N has been providing for Sumire for years now, after their deadbeat father drank away his money. Not very slay of him. The masked man still has his monopoly over Y/N as the clock continues to tick, Y/N's time is slowly running out

But you guys this chapter was so fun to write! That little spark in Y/Ns head which burns for Shisui has spread like wildfire, no thanks to Kurenai, Rin and Anko. 

I love writing these 4 characters together (there is another chapter later where you will find yourself in the company of these three girls PS it might be my favourite chapter so far hehe) 

Also, I'm going away in a few days so I probably won't update until November-ish. I will be sat at the beach sipping away at cocktails, living life stress free until I come back (and realise I'm drowning in deadlines again). 

Loving you always, 

Suri

[luv-kakashi]

hows that story coming along?

( luv u too )

xoxo

peach

writing has been slow but the chapters i have saved in my drafts are making me wanna quit my degree and become an author (someone deflate my ego rn and remind me that i have 20k in debt and cant afford to drop out now)

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter eleven - picnic

chapter ten | chapter twelve

"Morning Uchiha," I yawned, stretching as the morning sun warmed my face. The streets bathed in the soft glow of dawn, and the air carried the crisp, clean scent of a new day.

As I walked towards him, I could see Shisui standing with his back to me, his posture relaxed but alert, as always. The gentle breeze ruffled his curly hair as he turned to me.

"Good morning, YN," he replied, with his signature grin. "So, you got the message too?" he said, pulling out a small, neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket.

"Yeah, I wonder if Akira got one too," I replied, as I pulled out an identical piece of paper.

After placing the note back into his pocket, Shisui's eyes narrowed, locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"Have you been training this morning?" he asks, his gaze never faltering from mine.

Instinctively, I start to rub the back of my neck, fearful that my ID is on full display. My mind races for an answer, but I can't help but think that his piercing eyes know the full truth.

"No, I'm just a really strong kunoichi," I retorted, hoping my joke would distract him.

But it doesn't change the fact that nothing escapes the Uchiha and his instincts. He must be sensing a genjutsu on me. The longer I stay in his presence, the more difficult it will be to divert his suspicion, which I'm sure is already growing.

The thought lingers in my mind as the realisation dawns upon me.

Any skilled jounin will be able to sense the genjutsu, betrayed by the dense chakra found near my head and neck.

"Mhm, I'm sure you are Uzumaki," he chuckled, as his usual toothy smile returned to his face.

"You don't believe me Shisui?" I feigned shock as I placed a hand on my chest.

"And is that why we caught you struggling to grab some instant ramen from your top shelf the other day?" Shisui's grin widened as he walked besides me.

"Excuse me, I could have grabbed it myself it if someone hadn't swooped in with their body flicker technique."

He chuckled. "Oh so you're blaming my superior ninjutsu for your lack of height?"

"Hey! There is nothing wrong with my height. Besides, I was doing just fine standing on my chair!"

Shisui raised an eyebrow. "Standing? It looked more like wobbling."

"I was not wobbling! I was balancing."

"Mhm, sure you were Uzumaki. If I hadn't been there we'd have eaten floor ramen," he said as he shook his head, still smiling.

"Well, ramen's great no matter where you eat it," I shot back, "and don't act like you wouldn't still eat it."

Shisui gave a mock gasp. "You wound me, Y/N. I'm a man of class. I would never—"

"Eat off the floor? Wow, are the Uchiha too above everyone else?" We both laughed as a comfortable silence settled between us as we listened to the morning birds hum their songs.

"Are we supposed to have a mission today?" Akira yawned as he finally joined us, "Please say it's not so. I have another night shift today."

"Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence Bakakira," I chuckled.

"You chose the medic life, Bakakira. Beggars can't be choosers," Shisui retorted, eyeing Akira, who seemed to be suffering from an incurable case of the yawns.

"Hey! This isn't fair! You both can't gang up on me!" Akira protested though the grin on his face betrayed his mock indignation.

"Thank you for meeting here," a voice interrupted, "Sorry, it's so early it was the only time I could do this."

Kushina is the last to arrive, meeting us at the training ground. She's wearing a long green dress, her beautiful fiery red hair cascading freely down her back as she carries a picnic basket.

"I wanted to invite you all to breakfast with Minato and his team," she explained, as we walked towards the grassy area surrounded by towering trees that sway gently in the breeze. "I'm so sorry it's so early but Minato leaves for a mission today, you know!"

A large picnic blanket is laid out in front of us with its classic red-and-white checked pattern, on which a man with strikingly yellow hair and a girl with deep rich purple markings on her cheeks sat, busy in their conversation.

Sitting on one corner of the picnic blanket was a boy with strikingly spiky, silver hair, who remained indifferent to the conversation around him. His expression was one of quiet detachment, eyes half-lidded as if lost in thought, giving little away about what was going on in his mind.

Geez, is having an odd hair law in Konoha?

"Kushina sensei!" The girl chirped as she watched us walk over to her.

The four of us take a seat on the picnic blanket, with Kushina sensei naturally finding her way to her partner's side. Akira and Shisui settle next to each other, as they chat and joke. This leaves me with the only remaining space on the blanket—right next to the quiet, cold boy with strikingly silver hair. Hesitating for a moment, but with no other option, I sit down beside him, feeling the subtle tension in the air as his indifferent gaze flickers toward me before returning to the distance.

"Akira, Y/N, I'd like you guys to meet Minato," Kushina said, blushing as she reached for his hand, "My husband."

"Hello Akira, Y/N, it's lovely to finally meet you. Kushina has told me a lot about you guys," Minato chuckled, "And it's lovely to see you again Shisui."

Shisui grinned and gave a casual nod. "It's good to see you too, Minato. You're looking well."

"I'll let the rest of Team Minato introduce themselves," Minato said looking towards the girl with the deep purple marks on her cheeks.

"Hi! My name is Rin Nohara and I'm the medic of the team, it's lovely to meet you." The girl chirped. "I think we've met before," she said as she gazed at Akira, "you work at the hospital, don't you?"

The faintest blush dusted Akira's cheeks as his eyes widened at her glance. "Yes, that's right. I do work there," he replied, a bit flustered but smiling. "It's nice to meet you, Minato. I didn't realize you were Kushina sensei's husband."

My eyes settled on the spiky, silver-haired boy at my side as I awaited his introduction to the group.

"The name's Kakashi Hatake," He finally says, his voice detached and his eyes never bothering to shift his gaze from the horizon.

The silence between us is thick, almost palpable, as if the very air around him carries a chill. I can't help but wonder what thoughts lie behind those distant, unreadable eyes.

"Anyways, here help yourselves to breakfast. We've bought your favourite foods!" Kushina cheers as she laid out all the food. The blanket is decorated with an assortment of food—freshly baked bread, colourful dango and fruit, bowls of ramen and grilled fish.

"Hey Rin, you work at the hospital too, right? Which ward are you working on?" Akira asks as he passes a couple of pieces of fruit towards her, his fingertips brushing against hers.

Rin smiles softly, accepting the fruit. "I'm rotating between wards at the moment," she replies, her voice warm. "I'll be starting general surgery next week, hopefully, I'll learn skills I can use on missions." Her eyes brighten as she speaks, while Akira listens intently, nodding along.

The interaction between Akira and Rin was cute, to say the least. The way she smiled warmly at him, and the faint blush that dusted Akira's cheeks, did not go unnoticed by me and Shisui. We shared a silent glance of understanding between the two.

'Akira will never hear the last of it from us,' I whisper to Shisui as he chuckles at the scene unfolding in front of us.

Shisui leaned closer towards me as he handed me a dango. "Y/N Why did the dango go to school?"

"Is this going to be one of your dorky puns again?" I chuckled as I rolled my eyes. 

"To get a little "stick"tionary!" Shisui giggled as I stared back at him blank faced.

"Y/N don't look at me like that... I can't handle how un-skewer-ably cute you are!" Shisui muttered through his teeth before breaking out into a laugh.

"That was painful to hear Shisui," I admitted as Shisui stared off into the distance as heartbreak washed over his face.

Shisui looked back at me in shock as he took back the dango he offered me. "Dango breaking my heart!". I rolled my eyes at his antics, giving him a small shove in response.

"Y/N, did you know Minato Sensei is known as the Yellow Flash of the Leaf?" Shisui asks me, his voice filled with admiration as his eyes gleam with excitement.  "They say he's so fast that enemies don't even see him coming until it's too late. I've seen him in action—it's like watching a blur on the battlefield."

Hearing Shisui talk about Minato makes me choke mid-dango. Minato-sensei is the Minato Namikaze. As in the Yellow Flash of the Leaf. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, even though the thought isn't entirely unfamiliar.

In the Byakuya, we were given specific orders to retreat if we ever encountered shinobi that the Byakuya considered to be 'blacklisted.' And on this blacklisted shinobi list, at the very top, was none other than Minato Namikaze himself.

The stories about him weren't just tales—they were warnings, etched into our minds during training. The idea that the man sitting calmly across from me, casually chatting, smiling, and snacking on dango was the same person capable of wiping out entire squads in the blink of an eye sent a shiver down my spine.

In fact, Shisui himself is no stranger to me either. Shisui of the Body Flicker—a name that made frequent appearances in the blacklisted books as I rose through the ranks in the Byakuya. His speed and deadly precision were legendary.

To think that I'm sitting here, surrounded by not just one, but two of the most feared shinobi, both of whom could change the course of a battle in an instant, is enough to make my pulse quicken.

"Really? Oh Kami, my papa told me so much about you!" I lied through my teeth, feigning excitement. "You must let me see the Flying Raijin Jutsu, please!" I added, hoping my eagerness would mask the tension I felt.

My heart raced at the thought of the genjutsu being exposed to not just one, but several skilled shinobi sat around me.

Is this my reality now? Living in constant fear that at any moment, someone will uncover my identity—not just as Y/N Uzumaki, but as Kunoichi Thirteen, The Byakuya Princess? Am I condemned to deceit? Forced to maintain a façade while those who have welcomed me into their village as a poor, orphaned child remain blissfully unaware?

The thoughts linger in my mind as I question why I am even in Konoha. I submitted to the masked man's whims on the terms that I'd be reunited with Sumire, and that I would get to start a new life with her away from a life of murder and deceit.

Yet here I am, surrounded by a team who have welcomed me as their own as Sumire sits secluded and isolated in her dingy cabin 40km from here.

Worst of all, Kushina-sensei, Akira, and Shisui have crept their way into my heart, and I'm beginning to care for them in ways I never anticipated.

I want to see Akira become a successful medic for his father's sake.

I want to see Shisui climb the ranks and become a powerful shinobi.

I want Kushina Sensei and Minato Sensei to teach me, to guide me in ways that I never thought I'd need or desire.

Yet who am I to desire such things when I am forced to betray these very people?

"I'll show it to you one day," Minato said, interrupting my thoughts. "If you impress me at the Chunin Exams, I might even teach you," he chuckled, rising from the blanket. "Unfortunately, I must leave for my mission now. It was lovely meeting all of you. I'll see you all soon."

With a warm smile and a final nod, Minato turned and walked away, leaving me to wrestle with the bittersweet mix of hope and guilt swirling inside me.

The rest of us talked and delighted in the food Kushina sensei and Minato sensei bought for us. With each laugh and joke that was heard, Kakashi remained indifferent as he showed no interest in the rest of the group.

"Here, have a dango they're really delicious," I said, holding out a skewer towards him.

Kakashi glanced briefly at the dango, then at me.

"No," he muttered a small, barely audible response as his expression remained unreadable, his gaze returning to the distance, as if the offer had never been made as he refused to converse me.

His point-blank stare and the coldness of his words were all too familiar, a look I had become accustomed to in the Byakuya. That hardened, distant demeanour was a shield, one I recognized well. One that can only be built up through pain, grief and guilt.

The warmth and chatter beside me was interrupted by the sharp cry of a messenger bird, which landed beside our picnic blanket with a scroll tied to it. Kushina examines the contents of the scroll as she sighs.

"Looks like the Hokage requests for our presence," Kushina says, "Sorry to cut this picnic short, but the Hokage would also like to see Shisui and Kakashi too."

Kakashi was the first to rise from the blanket, his movements quick and efficient as if he'd been waiting for this moment. Without a word, he dusted himself off, his usual indifference fully intact.

"I'll see you guys later," Shisui said, departing alongside Kushina and Kakashi, giving us a quick wave before disappearing into the distance.

"As much as I want to stay and hang out, I'm about to collapse. I need my sleep, I've got another shift," Akira moaned, burying his face into his hands, unable to stifle his yawns.

"Get some rest, Akira. You'll need it," Rin chuckled softly, watching him with a warm smile. Akira groaned in response but gave a playful wave as he slowly stood, leaving me in Rin's company.

"We should hang out! I mean, that is if you're not too busy," Rin asked eagerly.

"Sure!"

We walked along the paths of Konoha, the wind brushing against my hair as I followed Rin as she led us into a small park, not too far from the academy. The sound of laughter filled the air as a few families played with their young children, their joyful shouts blending with the rustling leaves. 

Rin takes a seat on one of the swings, her gaze following the families as they play with their young children. I settle onto the swing beside her, the quiet creak of the chains the only sound between us for a moment.

"Sorry about this morning, Y/N. Kakashi isn't usually this cold," Rin said softly, her eyes still fixed on the children playing in the distance. "He might be quiet, but he's been through a lot. I hope you find it in you not to hate him. He's just... complicated."

"I might not know him very well, but he doesn't seem like someone who would hate me for no reason," I said, glancing over at Rin. "I'm sure he has his troubles he's dealing with."

"Troubles might not be enough to label it," Rin responded quietly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. She looked down at her hands, gripping the swing's chains a little tighter. "Kakashi's been through more than most. Loss, guilt... it weighs on him in ways he doesn't always show. But deep down, he's a good person. He just... keeps his distance to protect himself.

He lost his father when we were in the academy and since then he's become fiercely committed to all shinobi laws. It's almost like he believes that being committed to the rules is the only way to avoid the kind of pain he's been through. Ever since Sakumo's death, Kakashi has carried that burden with him."

"Sakumo..." I muttered under my breath, "Is that Kakashi's father? Was he a shinobi?"

"Sakumo was one of the most revered shinobi of the Leaf. They said his skill rivaled that of the three legendary Sannin... our village's very own White Fang of the Leaf. He chose to abandon a mission to save his comrades, and despite his strength, the village turned on him for that decision." Rin's voice wavered slightly as she continued. "He was disgraced, and it broke him. In the end, he couldn't bear the weight of the shame and took his own life."

My heart begins to race at Rin's words. My final job within the Byakuya was to ambush the Konoha ninjas to prevent them from discovering our hideout. The same Konoha nin led by the White Fang of the Leaf. My actions were directly responsible for forcing Sakumo to abandon his mission and risk everything to save his comrades. My actions directly led to the village turning on him. My actions directly led to his death.

My grip on the swing's chains falters and begins to shake. Running from my sins, my crimes, and the Byakuya—none of it is enough to erase the fact that I am nothing but a criminal. And here I am, enjoying the peace of Konoha whilst those around me suffer from my deceit and sins.

The guilt and shame of my sins hangs around my neck like a noose, tightening with each day spent here in Konoha.

"Kakashi recently became jounin, and for his first mission as captain, we were deployed to the Village Hidden by the Grass to destroy Kannabi Bridge," Rin said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "It was a crucial mission, one that would cut off enemy supply lines and help turn the tide of the war. Kakashi led the team, but the mission took a heavy toll on all of us. We tragically lost one of our teammates, our friend Obito. And Kakashi carries that guilt with him every day.

"Oh Rin, I'm so sorry for your loss," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"Thank you Y/N," Rin softly chuckled, "Anyways enough of all the sad talk. How has Konoha been treating you? Have you managed to make friends?"

"To be honest with you, the first few people I met were Akira and Shisui," I replied, a smile forming on my lips, "I got extremely lucky to be put on a team with them. I wasn't in the academy long enough to make any other friends."

"You should meet my friends, I'm sure that they will love you!" Rin said with excitement as she jumps out of her swing, "In fact, I'm hosting a little sleepover with them tomorrow. You should totally join us."

Should I accept this offer? Do I deserve moments of normalcy after a life of criminality? My actions so far have only served to hurt everyone around me.

"That sounds wonderful Rin, but are you sure you want me there?" I asked sheepishly.

"Don't be silly, of course I do!"

"Thank you for meeting with me today," The Hokage announces as he watches the three shoinobi kneel before him, "Kushina, Shisui... please share the recent mission details with Kakashi."

The three shinobi rise as Kushina takes the lead to explain the discoveries of Team Two's recent mission.

"On our return from our mission, Team Two was ambushed with a specific target in mind. Two individuals attacked our team separating me and Shisui from Akira and Y/N. The two of us retired and jumped back into the surrounding trees to observe their aims," Kushina said as she glanced at Shisui.

"The kunoichi bore a headband from the Village Hidden by the Rock and the taller shinobi named Cash bore a headband from the Sand Village. Both with a line through them," Shisui added with a sombre look painted across his face.

"From your description, they sound like they rouge ninja... continue," The Hokage interrupts.

"Their first attack rendered Akira immobile as they aimed for their true target, Y/N Uzumaki," Kushina stated, the realisation weighing heavy on her throat. She struggles to admit to herself that one of her dear students is being hunted by rouge ninja's, clouding her judgement about Y/N.

"They addressed Y/N as Princess and Kunoichi Thirteen. They were persistent in checking for 'an ID' on the nape of her neck, to which they found nothing," Kushina added, "The rouge ninja fled the scene after Shisui and I emerged from the trees."

"When we questioned Y/N about the interaction, she claimed to be in shock and unware of what was said to her."

"I see," the Hokage said, his voice heavy with the weight of realization. "It is clear that this ambush was not aimed at the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki nor the Uchiha prowess, but rather at Y/N Uzumaki. Someone from her past is after her." He took a deep sigh, the implications settling in. "We must prepare accordingly. This is no ordinary threat."

"Kakashi Hatake, I am aware that the scars of Kannabi Bridge have yet to heal," the Hokage began, his tone grave.

"However, I ask that you investigate the Village Hidden by the Grass. It's the only neutral territory bordering us that hasn't been completely destroyed, and it may hold the answers we need. I would like you to pursue this lead regarding Kunoichi Thirteen."

"Understood," Kakashi responded, his face as indifferent as ever. However, deep down he cannot help but reject Y/N Uzumaki in her entirety.

'She is a fugitive of an unknown past, with many shinobi after her. Her very existence threatens our shinobi law,' he thinks to himself as he accepts this mission.

"Kushina, Shisui, please keep a keen eye on Y/N Uzumaki," the Hokage instructed, his voice firm. "The only reason she walks free here in Konoha is due to our diplomatic ties with the Uzumaki Clan—ties that, I admit, Konoha has failed to properly maintain.

Regardless, if she threatens the safety of this village, she will be dealt with accordingly. We cannot afford to overlook any danger, no matter the bloodline."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Kakashi is so suspicious of Y/N as he stubbornly clings to the shinobi law. And it isn't just him. Since her arrival, the Hokage has his eye on the Uzumaki, unable to shake the mystery behind her identity. 

Although Konoha welcomes Y/N, the guilt continues to build as the death of Sakumo stains Y/N's hands. A deep red sin that she'll never be able to cleanse from her soul.

What is your favourite thing about Shisui? For me, its his hair and his lil smile oh and the fact that he's so humble! Also I hate second year uni LOL. 

Loving you always, 

Suri  

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter ten - missions

chapter nine | chapter eleven

Genin: the ranking has two very different meanings.

Back in Kirigakure, only those who emerged victorious in killing their comrades were made genin. And even then, the genin were overworked with missions beyond their calibre.

But here in Konoha, genin life was much different. After making genin a week ago, Team Two have completed an overall 15 missions, all being D-rank and C-rank of course.

You'd think that especially during a war, the village would need more manpower to complete more of the important missions, but that wasn't the case when our team was inundated with 'missions' ranging from dog-sitting, grocery shopping and watering a civilian's garden.

Furthermore, for some reason, Kushina sensei hasn't been leading any of our missions as of late. She named Shisui as team captain during her absence. Perhaps the village needs all the jounin to be completing the more pressing missions, leaving us genin with the more boring of the lot.

Finally, Team Two received a mission with Kushina Sensei and was probably the most exciting mission we've had so far. Although it was a C-rank mission, it did require us to move out of the village. We had to travel to Sunagakure to give the Kazekage a scroll.

"Honestly, when we were told we had to go to Suna for this mission I got so excited. But there's nothing exciting about 500 miles of sand." Akira sighed, as we jumped through the trees, returning home after the mission.

"At least we were able to get out of the village for a while," Kushina replied.

I quickly noticed Shisui slowly becoming more and more retired and isolated. He hasn't said a word for a while now and it was becoming more and more unsettling by the minute. Sensei even picked up on his strange behaviour, before taking a deep breath as she retired to the same expression Shisui had plastered over his face.

I haven't known him for long, but it doesn't take much to notice his irrational behaviour. I quickly turned around to face him, and I sent him a small smile to see if he was okay, yet his same stoic expression never faltered one bit.

That's when it dawned on me. Two shinobi were ahead of us, waiting in the trees. I scanned the branches, my senses on high alert. They were skilled—their large chakra stores betrayed their presence. But I could feel them, the weight of their killing intent pressing against my mind like a cold, dark tide.

"Who pissed in your milk, Shisui? Lighten up, will you? I'm starting to think you're dead." Akira chuckled.

"30 km ahead north-east." Was all Shisui said as we continued to jump through the dense trees.

Sharp reflexes, Uchiha. I thought to myself.

"2 ninjas are waiting for us ahead," Kushina said, pulling out a kunai. Judging from their chakra stores, they were quite powerful too.

We made our way to where the ninjas were supposed to be, kunai in hand, ready for an attack.

But they were nowhere to be seen. Or so I thought.

An earth-style jutsu soon ripped through the earth separating Shisui and Sensei from me and Akira, before a series of water-style jutsus were thrown our way. I looked around to see if my teammates were okay. Akira seemed fine; well, he was sturuggled to get up from the impact of the attack.

On the other hand, Shisui was nowhere to be seen.

I rose to my feet, realising one of the ninjas had coated their arm with an earth-style jutsu and was quickly charging towards me. I must use lightning to nullify the attack.

"Lightning style: Jolt clamp!" I shouted, running straight to the ninja as my jutsu paralysed the surrounding muscles in her arm. The ninja stumbled back, gripping her limp limb before shouting out to me.

"Would you look at that? Princess has left us for the Leaf," the taller of the two shinobi retorts, as he walks towards me.

Shit, shit, shit.

They're after me. I need to dispose of them fast before the others find out.

"You have the wrong person! I have no idea what you're talking about." I spat, holding my kunai in a defensive stance.

"Stop hiding Kunoichi Thirteen," the other ninja started to rant, before she turned to her partner, "Cash, check her ID."

The other ninja came behind me, pinning my wrists to my back using one hand, the other pulling back my hair as he examined my neck. "There's nothing there."

Shit, shit, shit. I need to shut them up fast.

I slammed my head to meet the ninja's nose, causing him to loosen his grip on my hair. Just as I was preparing for an attack, Shisui popped out of the trees he was hiding in.

About time, stupid Uchiha.

"Fire style: Fireball jutsu!"

The two ninjas jumped back to dodge his attack. But after seeing a glimpse of his blaring sharingan, they immediately started to back away.

"It's... it's Shisui of the body flicker." They stammered as they turned away, afraid to take on his visual prowess.

"It looks like they're gone now," Shisui said, offering a hand to Akira as Kushina turned to me.

"Sorry for not helping sooner, I needed to find out who they were after," Kushina stated as she deadpanned her gaze towards me, "and they made that pretty clear."

"What did they want from you Y/N?"

"I'm sure they mistook me for someone else. Honestly, I was so shaken up, I didn't even register what they said to me." I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Did they hurt you?" Kushina asked, holding my face between her hands inspecting for any wounds.

"I think I'm okay," I replied, "I'm sorry I just didn't expect it."

"Many more of our missions may end up being like this, we need to be alert at all times," Shisui said before we started making our way back to the leaf.

The more I play the role of an innocent Y/N Uzumaki, who's estranged from her family, the more pressure I'm under. It won't be long until more shinobi from The Byakua try to come get me. Even worse, what if the masked man and Zetsu chase after me?

I need to wrap up my business here in the Leaf, before I am found out.

"I hate having missions and hospital shifts on the same day. I never get a break, do I?" Akira whined as we finally reached Konoha.

"You signed up for this Bakakira, stop complaining." Shisui retorted, earning a moan from him.

"Shisui, can you come with me to fill out the mission report? It'll give you good practise for when you become jounin." Kushina said, giving him the returning scroll from Sunagakure as they flickered to the Hokage tower.

"Want me to walk you to the hospital?" I asked as I turned to Akira.

"Yeah sure."

We walked through the evening streets of Konoha, enjoying the tranquillity of the air around us. The fresh scent of ramen wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the cherry blossoms which lined the streets. We watched as laughter echoed from the children leaving the academy, weaving between the adults excited from a day of adventure.

"Hey Akira," I ask, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

Ever since I met Akira, one thought has always lingered in the back of my mind, a thought that grew with each day, fuelled by curiosity.

"Why do you work so hard to become a medic, Akira?"

"In all honesty, I never wanted to become a medic," Akira replies, "Actually, I was on track to graduating with Shisui and our other friend Itsuki years ago. We all agreed to graduate early, get put on the same team and become an unstoppable trio. But that year, my father tragically passed away on a mission."

"Oh, I'm so sorry for bringing this up Akira. I'm sorry for your loss," I admitted apologetically, fumbling to change the subject from something so painful.

"Thank you, but it was many years ago. I've had my time to grieve," Akira said, his voice steady yet tinged with a quiet sadness. He glanced at me with a comforting gaze, his eyes soft but resolute, as if he was reassuring me as much as himself.

"You see, he was a medic, a prideful one at that. But during one fateful mission, the entire team wound up critically injured before they could ultimately finish the mission. My father just couldn't let it go.

Shinobi rule no. 103, "No medic shall ever die until they are the last of their platoon". But that meant nothing to my father. He sacrificed his life to make sure that the mission was completed, and he depleted the very last of his chakra to heal his comrades."

His words hung in the air between us, carrying the unspoken memories of a time that had shaped him into the person he was now.

"The news of his death shook me to my core. I knew he was an exceptional shinobi of a high ranking. I guess it never occurred to me that my father could one day be killed on a mission. I started to lose all hope in the shinobi system... everything seemed so pointless. What was the point in going to the academy, training to become a shinobi only to be eventually killed one day?

I stopped going to my classes in the academy, gave up on my training and spent my days wasting my time at home.

It wasn't until my father's funeral that my whole outlook on the shinobi system changed."

Rain relentlessly poured from the dark clouds rolling in. The trees surrounding the cemetery stood tall and still, their leaves barely rustling in the gentle breeze, as if nature itself was holding its breath in respect.

"Why? Why did he have to die?" Akira screamed into the distance; the weight of his grief was palpable, bearing down on him like a physical force. His fists clenched tightly at his sides as tears streamed down his face.

"Akira hold your head up high," The Hokage said, his voice firm yet gentle, as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Why? Why should I? My father is dead because of this stupid shinobi system," Akira yelled, as anger replaced his tear-filled gaze. His balled fists shook from the intensity of his emotion.

"My dad is dead, and I'm supposed to just accept that? Accept that this is the fate of any shinobi. How long will it be until it's my mom I have to bury? Or my brother?" Akira's voice cracked as he spoke, the thought of losing more of his family becoming too much to bear.

"I know the pain is overwhelming. I too have lost those I held dear to me," The Hokage reassured, "But you must find the strength within you to rise above it. Your father was a very skilled member of my guard. In fact, his will of fire inspired me during the warring period after the Second Great Shinobi War.

He believed that sacrifice was necessary to guarantee prosperity for our future generations. Like how the cherry blossom must shed its old petals for new ones to bloom. Don't you see Akira? His will of fire resides in you. The most honourable act you can do is to not let his name be forgotten in vain. Honour his name and his work Akira."

"And so, becoming a medic is my way of honouring his memory. I suppose my reason isn't very creative and I do complain a lot about the shifts and the amount of work tha-"

"I think that's very admirable, Akira-kun," I interrupted gently, my voice cutting through the tension that had thickened the air. The words hung in the air between us, soft and filled with sincerity. I knew it couldn't erase the hurt that came with losing his father, "You carry his spirit with you Akira, I'm sure he's very proud of you."

Akira's gaze flickered to a vulnerable, raw expression as he reconciled with the weight of my words and the grief in his heart.

"Thanks Y/N. I really appreciate it." Akira smiled

"Anyways, enjoy your shift Bakakira!" I chuckled as we made our way to the hospital entrance.

"You have a way of ruining these moments, you know!"

"You'll live!"

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Akira's reasons for becoming a medic are so noble! he's so adorable. The time is ticking, Y/N's past continues to haunt her every minute she spends in Konoha.

Anyways, I went back to university last week and i'm already drowning in work help me. Sometimes I think that making this story an YN story was such a dumb decision.

But other than that, how are you? please tell me anything I'm so deprived of human contact.

Loving you always,

Suri

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter nine - police force

chapter eight | chapter ten

Despite being a Genin-ranked ninja, the missions never seemed to end. From menial tasks like mowing the lawn to transporting peace treaties between nations, we were worked to the bone.

And by the grace of Kami, we finally had a day off. Well, it was more that we were a member down. Shisui has been absent for the past few days as he prepared for his Jounin exam, leaving Team Two temporarily suspended.

I wandered through the streets of Konoha, the cool breeze ruffling my hair as it swayed in the wind. The scent of soy and miso filtered through the air as I walked past Ichiraku Ramen, civilians filtered in and out of the markets scattered across the street and the laughter of children echoed throughout the streets as they left the Academy.

Despite the noise of the bustling atmosphere, something small and muffled caught my attention—a soft, pitiful cry from a nearby alleyway.

I stopped in my tracks, narrowing my eyes as I scanned the crowd. There, tucked between two food stalls, was a little boy no older than four, clutching a small stuffed animal to his chest, his face streaked with tears.

Without thinking, I walked over, crouching down to meet his gaze. "Hey there," I said softly, trying not to startle him. "Are you okay?"

The boy looked up at me, sniffling, his big brown eyes wide with fear. "I-I can't find my mommy and daddy..." His voice trembled, breaking my heart.

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we'll find them. You're safe now, okay? What's your name?"

He wiped his nose on his sleeve and hiccupped. "Y-Yuuta."

"Well, Yuuta, my name is Y/N, and I promise I'll help you find your parents. Do you remember where you last saw them?"

He shook his head, fresh tears forming in his eyes. "N-no... I was chasing a butterfly, and then... I lost them."

I held out my hand to him, giving him a nod of encouragement. "It's alright, we'll look together. How about we start by walking around the main square? It's a good place to start."

Yuuta hesitated for a moment before taking my hand, his tiny fingers wrapping tightly around mine. We began walking slowly through the crowded streets, my senses on high alert for any frantic parents searching for their missing child.

As we moved, I felt the boy's grip loosen slightly, and he started to calm down, still clutching his stuffed animal but no longer sobbing. "You know, Yuuta," I said with a smile, "I used to get lost a lot too when I was younger. But guess what? I always found my way back."

He looked up at me with curious eyes. "Really?"

"Really." I grinned. "And you're going to find your way back too. I promise."

I scanned the crowd, hoping to spot someone who looked as anxious as Yuuta felt. Parents frantically searching for their child were hard to miss, but among the bustling shoppers and chatter, there was no sign of panic.

Yuuta stayed close to me, his small hand still clinging to mine. I tried to think of a way to keep him distracted. "So, what's your favourite game to play, Yuuta?"

He sniffled, glancing at his stuffed animal. "Ninja hide and seek."

I chuckled softly. "That's a good one! I bet you're really good at hiding, huh?"

Yuuta nodded, his tears beginning to dry up. "Yeah, but... I guess I wasn't good at finding today." His voice wavered a little, but there was a hint of a smile. I gently squeezed his hand as we walked through the market square.

Walking around the market square was proving to be a dead end, leaving me with no choice but to take the more logical route—seek help from Konoha's Military Police Force. Since starting my life here in Konoha, I had yet to witness a police shinobi in action or even catch a glimpse of them patrolling the streets. But could you really blame me? Most of my time was spent either on missions or with Sumire.

As I scanned the area, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. The Military Police Force had always seemed like a mysterious entity to me, an arm of the village's security I knew little about. Their presence was constant but subtle, and they rarely crossed paths with us Genin unless something serious was happening.

With Yuuta's small hand gripping mine, we began our trek toward the Uchiha Clan Compound, where Konoha's Military Police Force was stationed. During my tour of the village, I remembered Kushina explaining how the peace within Konoha is maintained by the Military Police Force, which is run by the Uchiha Clan.

The streets of Konoha bustled with their usual energy, vendors shouting out prices, and the faint aroma of freshly grilled skewers filling the air. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, Yuuta remained quiet, his little face scrunched up in worry as he occasionally glanced up at me.

"You know," I said, hoping to break the silence, "the Uchiha Clan Compound is actually one of the most important places in Konoha. It's where the Military Police Force works. They help keep the village safe."

Yuuta looked up at me, his curiosity piqued. "Do you think they'll find my parents?"

"I'm sure they will," I said confidently, giving him a reassuring smile. "They're really good at what they do. And besides, you've got me to help you."

As we walked further away from the busy market, the path toward the Uchiha district grew quieter. As I approached the Uchiha Clan compound, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Nestled in the outskirts of the village, it was like stepping into another world, far removed from the bustling streets of Konoha. The towering stone walls gave way to a serene and meticulously maintained courtyard, where delicate cherry blossoms drifted down from trees that lined the path, their pale pink petals dancing in the wind. It was breathtaking—almost untouched by the outside world, as though time slowed within these walls.

"I've never been this far into the village," Yuuta said, his wide eyes taking in the sight.

"Not many people have," I replied with a light chuckle. "But don't worry, the Uchiha are some of the kindest people you'll meet—well, most of them." I glanced down at him with a wink, trying to ease his nerves.

Walking through the cobbled streets, Yuuta and I were captivated by the beauty of the Uchiha clan compound. Small koi ponds dotted the area, their crystal-clear waters reflecting the brilliant colours of the flowers and lush greenery that seemed to envelop the compound.

The path led us to a large, imposing building that stood out from the rest. Its stone walls were sturdy and strong, radiating an air of discipline and order. A small sign in front read, "Konoha Military Police Force," etched with the Uchiha fan symbol prominently displayed above the entrance.

I hesitated for a moment, taking in the building's sheer presence. Though not as grand as the Hokage's office, it carried its own weight that spoke of its importance. Shinobi clad in dark uniforms moved in and out, their uniforms carrying the branding of the police force – a shuriken and the red and white fan of the Uchiha clan.

As I approached them, the clack of my heels echoed softly through the entrance, drawing the eyes of a couple of officers.

"Good afternoon," I called out to the officers, "This little guy here got separated from his parents. Do you think you can help us?"

Yuuta's grip on my hand tightened as one of the officers knelt down to him.

"Hey little one, do you happen to be Yuuta?" he asked, chuckling as he watched Yuuta hide behind my legs. Yuuta nodded shyly clutching his stuffed animal. We watched as the other officer headed into a room as a man and a woman rushed out scanning every corner, their faces etched with worry. The moment the woman's eyes locked on Yuuta, relief flooded her expression. She ran toward us, her arms outstretched.

"Mama!" Yuuta cried, letting go of my hand and running to her. His mother scooped him up, clutching him tightly as tears of relief rolled down her face. His father quickly joined them, wrapping his arms around them.

"Thank you!" the mother said breathlessly, looking at me with gratitude. "Thank you so much for finding him."

I smiled, stepping back as Yuuta was enveloped in the warmth of his parents' embrace. "It was my pleasure. I'm just glad he's safe."

"Thank you!" Yuuta yelled, waving me a sweet goodbye as the family left the building.

As I watched the family reunite, a strange warmth filled my chest, mingled with an aching emptiness. The sight of Yuuta's parents holding him so close, so full of love and relief, stirred something deep within me—something I hadn't let myself feel in a long time.

I gave them a small nod, trying to smile, but my thoughts were already drifting elsewhere. In another universe, maybe that kind of warmth and love would've been mine too. A universe where my clan wasn't consumed by anger, where my father's arms were open to welcome me home, not lost to a cycle of hatred and revenge.

My thoughts were cut short by a familiar voice echoing in the distance. Shisui stood by the window, deep in conversation with an older brown-haired officer. The sunlight filtered through the window casting a soft glow over them.

Shisui stood tall, the short breeze tousled his dark hair, the soft curls catching the light. His smile crinkled his eyes as he spoke, a stark contrast to his rough hands decorated with callouses and scars.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, my gaze lingering longer than it should have. Why am I staring so hard at him? The thought made my face flush and I quickly glanced away, my pulse suddenly loud in my ears. It was ridiculous. Shisui is my teammate, my friend and my senior, and I had more important things to worry about than this strange fluttering in my chest.

Shisui's eyes caught mine and a familiar smile spread across his face as he walked towards me.

"Y/N," he greeted, "What brings you here?"

"You know, just doing my civic duty as an upstanding citizen of Konoha," I said with a playful grin. "Finding missing kids, keeping Konoha safe... might just join the police force if you need a real hero on the team."

I gave him a dramatic wink, trying to act casual as possible whilst ignoring the sudden warmth on my cheeks. 'For the love of the First Hokage, pull it together' I cursed myself mentally.

"What are you doing here, Shisui?" I asked, hoping my voices didn't betray the nerves bubbling up inside me.

He flashed that easy grin of his, making my heart skip a beat. "Just talking clan business with Fugaku-san," he said, gesturing over his shoulder. "You know, nothing as heroic as rescuing lost kids, though. You're clearly the star here."

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. "Clearly."

"Is this your first time visiting the Uchiha compound?" Shisui asked, tilting his head slightly. I watched as his soft curls shifted with the movement, catching the light just right.

"Uh, yeah... first time," I mumbled, my eyes momentarily betraying me as they lingered on the curve of his jawline. Kami, get a grip, Y/N.

"Are you free? I'd love to show you around!" Shisui offered with a grin, his eyes lighting up in that way that made it impossible to say no.

"Yeah," I nodded, feeling a small flutter in my chest. "I think I'd like that."

As we strolled through the Uchiha compound, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The place was so peaceful, so deeply connected to the clan's history, it seemed worlds away from the bustling streets of Konoha. Shisui walked beside me, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his soft curls shifting slightly in the breeze.

"This here," he said, stopping at a serene spot by a lake, "is the Reflection Lake. Pretty, right?"

"I come here a lot when I need to think. It helps put things into perspective," Shisui said with a smile, glancing at me. "I used to practice here as a kid, throwing kunai into the water, hoping one day I'd hit something."

I laughed. "Did you ever?"

"Once or twice," he winked, stepping closer to the edge, his hand lightly brushing mine as he did so. "I learned the fireball jutsu here."

We walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he led me further into the compound, pointing out the training grounds where a few younger Uchiha were sparring. Their movements were sharp, precise, and carried the weight of the clan's legacy.

"This is where I honed my Sharingan," Shisui said, a hint of pride in his voice. "I spent a lot of time here, pushing myself to the limit."

I smiled, watching the kids practice. "Shisui I think you need to go back and train some more, you're getting rusty."

Shisui raised an eyebrow at my comment, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh, is that so?" he asked, feigning offense. "You think I'm getting rusty, huh? Big words from someone who just learned to throw a kunai properly last week."

I laughed, nudging him with my elbow. "Hey, I'm just saying, a little extra training wouldn't hurt. You know, to keep up with someone of my skill level."

"Your skill level?" Shisui chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know I outrank you, Uzumaki? When's the sparring match? I'll show you just how 'rusty' I am."

I shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant. "Whenever you're ready, Uchiha. Just don't cry when I win."

Shisui grinned, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Challenge accepted. But when you lose, I'm expecting an apology... and maybe a dango for my troubles."

He suddenly grinned, tugging me by the wrist gently. "Come on, I've got something better to show you."

He led me to a secluded courtyard filled with cherry blossom trees, their petals falling gently around us. It was breathtaking—like stepping into another world.

"In the spring, this place is even more incredible," he said softly, "It's quiet, but in a good way. Sometimes I come here when I need to escape the noise."

I stood there for a moment, letting the beauty of the scene wash over me. It felt like we were in our own little bubble, far removed from the rest of the world. I glanced at Shisui, noticing the way his expression softened in the gentle light.

"This is amazing," I whispered, not wanting to break the spell.

"I'm glad you think so," he replied, turning toward me, his smile warm and genuine. We sat down on a small bench between the cherry blossom trees, watching the pink petals dance in the wind.

"Shisui...Why is the Uchiha Compound so far from the main village?"

Shisui paused, his playful demeanor shifting slightly as he looked around the compound. "Well, that's just how it's always been," he began, his tone thoughtful. "The Uchiha Clan's always been a little... separate from the rest of the village."

He scratched the back of his head, glancing over at me. "Some say it's for security. Others think it's because we've always been Konoha's police force, so it made sense to have our own space, away from all the hustle and bustle of the village."

I nodded, understanding but sensing there was more to it. "Does it ever bother you?"

Shisui smiled softly, though there was something deeper behind his eyes. "Sometimes. But it's home, you know? And besides," he added, his playful smirk returning, "we need the extra space to train—so we don't get��too rusty."

I laughed, but the weight of his words lingered in the back of my mind. Shisui is a formidable shinobi, one that is fiercely loyal to his clan and the village, he wears that honour on his sleeve. The thought gnawed at me, an unshakable question I couldn't seem to bury. Shisui's unwavering loyalty to both his clan and the village had always been something I admired, but now it only deepened my confusion. I glanced at him, sitting beside me with that confident smile, so sure of himself and his place in the world.

But what would he do if he were in my shoes? If he had to make a choice between someone he loved and his duty?

Would he be able to leave Sumire behind, knowing the pain it would cause her? Would he look Kushina in the eye and break her trust?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts swirling in my mind. It was too much to think about, and it made my chest tighten with a sense of impending dread. What kind of person was I, tangled up in all this deception and guilt?

But what if he knew? What if he knew about the weight I carried, the secrets I kept? Would he still look at me the same way, with that easy smile and kind eyes?

Would he still care for me, if he knew what I was truly capable of?

“Shisui… If you had to choose between your clan and your village to protect, who would you save?”

Shisui paused mid-sentence, his smile faltering for just a second as he glanced at me, clearly taken aback by the suddenness of my question. He looked away, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing the gravity of the answer.

"That's a tough one, Y/N," he said quietly, his voice losing some of its usual lightness. "I'd like to say I'd find a way to protect both, to avoid making that choice altogether. But I know that's a bit of a cop-out, isn't it?"

"Choosing between my clan and my village... it's a decision which defines a shinobi. To protect what is precious, sacrifices must be made. And to make those sacrifices, seeing the bigger picture is essential to making the right choices," Shisui sighed, his expression clouded with thought.

Shisui gazed up at the cherry blossom tree above us, the light slowly filtering through the petals. "The one who fights from the shadows, not for personal gain but for the greater good... that is the true mark of a shinobi. Even if it means I have to make sacrifices."

He turned to me then, his eyes searching mine. "Why do you ask, Y/N? What's on your mind?"

His gaze was so sincere, so open, that I almost felt my throat tighten. How could someone carry so much responsibility and still be so selfless? How could he still look at me like that, with such concern and care, when I was drowning in my own secrets?

I forced a smile, trying to shake off the heaviness in my chest. "Just... curious, I guess," I said lightly, though my heart was anything but.

"Whatever is on your mind, don't let it all build up," Shisui said as he turned to face me. "Besides, a frown doesn't suit you Uzumaki," he chuckled as he flicked my forehead.

I winced playfully, rubbing my forehead where he flicked me. "Easy for you to say, Uchiha," I teased back, trying to force a smile. "You're always so annoyingly carefree."

Shisui raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh, I don't know about that. I just have a good distraction," he said, crossing his arms as he leaned closer. "But you, Y/N, you're carrying a storm behind those eyes."

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden insight. Shisui always had a way of seeing right through me, and it was both comforting and unnerving at the same time.

"You know, you should quit being a shinobi and try being a mind reader instead," I joked weakly, trying to deflect.

He shook his head, his expression softening. "I'm serious, Y/N. I know life isn't always easy, but if you ever need to talk, I'm here. Even if it's just to flick you on the forehead again." He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling with genuine warmth.

I felt a lump in my throat, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over me. Here he was, offering comfort and support, and all I could think about was how much I didn't deserve it. Not with the secrets I was keeping, not with the Masked Man breathing down my neck.

"Thanks, Shisui," I managed to say, my voice quieter than I intended. "I'll try not to keep it all bottled up."

"Good," he said, reaching out to gently ruffle my hair. "Because the Y/N I know is too strong and too stubborn to let anything beat her down. And I'll keep reminding you of that until you believe it."

I laughed softly, feeling a small piece of the weight on my shoulders lift. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yep," he replied cheerfully. "Only for you, Uzumaki." He winked, and despite everything, I couldn't help but smile back.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Shisui has some game! I like to think that he's such a people person and that if there was someone he was interested in, he'd be a natural flirt. What do you think of Shisui's flirt game?

Until next time,

Suri

[luv-kakashi]

How to write smut ?

(@urfriendlywriter | req by @rbsstuff @yourlocalmerchgirl anyone under the appropriate age, please proceed with caution :') hope this helps guys! )

writing smut depends on each person's writing style but i think there's something so gut-wrenchingly beautiful about smut when it's not very graphic and vivid. like., would this turn on a reader more?

"he kissed her, pulling her body closer to him."

or this?

"His lips felt so familiar it hurt her heart. His breathing had become more strained; his muscles tensed. She let herself sink into his embrace as his hands flattened against her spine. He drew her closer."

(Before proceeding further, these are all "in my opinion" what I think would make it better. Apply parts of the advice you like and neglect the aspects you do not agree with it. Once again I'm not saying you have to follow a certain type of style to write smut! Creative freedom exists for a reason!)

One may like either the top or the bottom one better, but it totally depends on your writing to make it work. Neither is bad, but the second example is more flattering, talking literally. (Here is me an year after writing this post, i think, either is amazing, depending on the context. the type of book you're writing, your writing style and preferences!)

express one's sensory feelings, and the readers will automatically know what's happening.

writing, "her walls clenched against him, her breath hitching with his every thrust" is better than writing, "she was about to cum".

(edit: once again, hi, it's me. Either is amazing depending on ur writing style. Everything at the end is about taste.)

here are some vocabulary you can introduce in your writing:

whimpered, whispered, breathed lightly, stuttered, groaned, grunted, yearned, whined, ached, clenched, coaxed, cried out, heaved, hissed

shivering, shuddering, curling up against one's body, squirming, squirting, touching, teasing, taunting, guiding, kneeling, begging, pining, pinching, grinding,

swallowing, panting, sucking in a sharp breath, thrusting, moving gently, gripped, biting, quivering,

nibbling, tugging, pressing, licking, flicking, sucking, panting, gritting, exhaling in short breaths,

wet kisses, brushing soft kisses across their body (yk where), licking, sucking, teasing, tracing, tickling, bucking hips, forcing one on their knees

holding hips, guiding the one on top, moving aimlessly, mindlessly, sounds they make turn insanely beautiful, sinful to listen to

some adverbs to use: desperately, hurriedly, knowingly, teasingly, tauntingly, aimlessly, shamelessly, breathlessly, passionately, delicately, hungrily

he sighed with pleasure

her skin flushed

he shuddered when her body moved against his

he planted kisses along her jawline

her lips turned red, messy, kissed and flushed.

his hands were on his hair, pulling him.

light touches traveled down his back

words were coiled at his throat, coming out as broken sobs, wanting more

he arched his back, his breath quivering

her legs parted, sinking into the other's body, encircling around their waist.

+ mention the position, how they're being moved around---are they face down, kneeling, or standing, or on top or on bottom--it's really helpful to give a clear picture.

+ use lustful talk, slow seduction, teasing touches, erratic breathing, give the readers all while also giving them nothing. make them yearn but DO NOT PROLONG IT.

sources to refer to for more:

gesture that gets me on my knees !!

(more to comeee, check out my hot or kisses prompts on my master list!)

[luv-kakashi]

og kakashi truly was peak like this is a face card that will be talked about for generations to come..

[luv-kakashi]

I wish it was easier to talk about mobile phone addiction without sounding like a boomer

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter eight - dango!

chapter seven | chapter nine

My mother was a beautiful and kind woman. She took pride in her long red hair, which draped gracefully over her shoulders like a cascade of flames, and everyone always noted how her azure eyes lit up any room she entered. She was the perfect mother—strong, gentle, and fiercely protective of her family. Hopelessly devoted to her waste of a husband and our clan, she made sure that Sumire and I were always safe, always cared for.

And her cooking? Kami, her dango was legendary. It would make any non-believer hopelessly devoted to Kami Himself. The sweet smell of flour and sugar would fill the air, and I could always hear her humming softly, lost in the music of her task. It was like she poured all her love into every skewer she made.

Sumire and I would sneak peeks over the counter, our little hands resting on the edge as we watched the dough transform into perfect little dango balls. My mother would catch us, of course—she always did—but instead of scolding us, she'd smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Patience, girls. The best things take time."

When the dangos were finally ready, she'd present them to us like a precious treasure, and they were—the perfect balance of sweet and chewy, each bite like a piece of her love. Sumire and I would devour them with gleeful abandon, giggling and fighting over the last skewer.

Now, the taste of her dangos remains a fading memory, like the faintest hint of sweetness on my tongue that I can never quite capture again. The warmth, the joy, and the comfort they brought—all of it feels like it's slipping further and further away with each passing day. I try to hold onto it, the way the dango would melt in my mouth, the way my mother would smile as we ate together. But no matter how hard I cling, the memory grows dimmer, like trying to grasp smoke with my bare hands.

Which is why I find myself covered in flour as Sumire and I tried to salvage the remaining shards of our broken memory of our mother as we try (very poorly) to make her signature dangos. Our hands are sticky, dough splattered across the counters, and yet we can't stop laughing.

"Do you think she'd be proud of this disaster?" Sumire asked, smirking as she attempted to roll another lumpy ball of dough. Her fingers, unsteady but determined, poked at the misshapen lump, clearly trying to force it into some resemblance of a proper dango.

"Proud? Maybe," I grinned, wiping a streak of flour off my face, "Impressed? Definitely not."

The kitchen was a disaster. Flour dusted every surface, some of it smeared across the countertop, and a few blobs of sticky dough clung to the walls. I couldn't help but laugh as Sumire swiped at her face, leaving a streak of sweet bean paste on her cheek.

"Okay, okay! Maybe we're not cut out to be dango chefs," I said, barely containing my laughter as I rolled another misshapen ball of dough between my palms.

Sumire shot me a playful glare. "Excuse you! I am an artist, Y/N. You just lack vision for this... avant-garde dango."

I snorted, holding up the dough ball in my hand. "Avant-garde? This looks like a deflated toad."

"Hey!" Sumire grabbed a handful of flour and flicked it in my direction, grinning mischievously.

I ducked, but some of it still landed on my head, leaving me looking like a powdered mochi. "Oh, it's on!" I shouted, grabbing a glob of dough and hurling it back at her.

It hit her square in the chest, sticking to her shirt. Sumire looked down, stunned for a moment, before bursting into laughter. "You didn't just—okay, you asked for this, little one!"

We were both laughing so hard that neither of us noticed the pot of sauce bubbling over until the sweet soy glaze began to hiss and pop on the stove. I rushed over, trying to salvage it while Sumire doubled over in giggles behind me.

"I don't know if this is going to taste like dango or charcoal," I said, stirring the sticky mess.

Sumire wiped her eyes and grinned. "I think we've created a whole new recipe. 'Chargrilled dango'. The world isn't ready for us."

"More like disaster dango," I teased, sliding the sauce off the heat. "But hey, at least we had fun, right?"

The taste may not have been the same, but the feeling—the warmth of trying, together—that was something Mom would've been proud of. After having swallowed the undercooked, misshapen dough which went down like concrete, I glanced up at the clock, the ticking growing louder with each passing second. 7 am. Time was running out. I had to leave soon—before the early risers of Konoha filled the streets before anyone saw me slipping away from the cabin and back into my apartment, unnoticed.

Sumire wheeled her way out of the kitchen, her gaze drifting to the moss-covered window. The soft morning light filtered in, casting a faint glow on her face. She took a deep breath, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us.

"Do you have to go?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her question wasn't just about today—it was about all the times I had to leave, the times I had to vanish without explanation. The life I had chosen—or rather, the life forced upon me—had torn us apart in more ways than one.

I hesitated, feeling the familiar pang of guilt in my chest. The truth sat heavy on my tongue, but I swallowed it down. I can't get caught. If I'm discovered, it'll only spark more suspicion about my identity as Kunoichi Thirteen... as the Byakuya Princess.

"I... I have to," I finally murmured, forcing a smile to hide the conflict raging inside me. "Just a few more things to take care of."

Sumire's eyes never left the window, her fingers gripping the edge of her wheelchair tightly. "I know," she said softly, her tone tinged with sadness. "But one day, you won't have to keep running."

I wished I could believe her. But deep down, I knew this wasn't a life I could escape so easily. There were too many secrets, too many lies. And yet, standing there with her, part of me wished I could stay—just for a little while longer, just to pretend that things were different.

"I'll be back soon, I promise," I said, hoping the lie didn't sound as hollow to her as it did to me.

Sumire didn't reply, but the look she gave me—soft, understanding, and a little heartbroken—said more than words ever could.

I slipped out of the cabin, moving silently through the dense trees as the cool morning air brushed against my skin. The familiar path stretched ahead of me, a route I'd memorized from countless escapes like this. Every branch, every root, every sound of the forest had become second nature to me. I kept my movements light, barely disturbing the undergrowth beneath my feet.

As I neared the village, my heart rate quickened. The routine was always the same—head towards the eastern side where the old gap in the wall remained hidden by thick foliage. It wasn't much, just a small opening where the stone had crumbled years ago, but it was enough.

Reaching the gap, I crouched low and slid through the narrow opening. The cool stone brushed against my arm, a reminder of how many times I'd used this route to sneak back into Konoha. Once inside, I moved quickly through the alleys, keeping my head low and avoiding the main streets. My apartment wasn't far, and if I timed it right, I'd be back before anyone could spot me. Before anyone could question where I had been. Each time I make the journey back from Sumire felt like a game... a gamble with everything I desperately try to hide at stake.

Sleep gnawed at me, each blink heavier than the last, as though my eyelids were carrying the weight of the world. Every step back to my apartment felt sluggish, my limbs dragging in protest. I had been up for hours already, covered in sticky soy glaze and flour as Sumire and I wrestled with memories of our mother's dango recipe, only for me to slip away before dawn. Now, the shinobi day was just beginning. The streets were waking up, but all I wanted was to collapse into bed.

But I couldn't. The life of a shinobi didn't allow for weakness, for fatigue. Any second now, a mission could come in. I could be summoned—by Kushina-sensei, by the Hokage, by someone—and I needed to be ready.

I walked over to the sink hoping that the cold, freezing water would snap my eyes open as I splashed water over my face. Water slithered down my hand and dripped into the basin below me, echoing around the room, reverberating off the metal walls like a noise being magnified within a cocoon. Looking down, my hands begin to pulsate; each shake matching the eerie ring of the clock needle, before erupting into a violent series of trembles. A familiar view to say the least, one that would dawn on me from the moment I set off to sleep to the moment I woke up. A constant reminder sharp enough to shred my skin into pieces, a constant reminder of the vice I try so hard to hide.

Red: it has always been my favourite colour. A symbol of my clan and a staple of our beauty. Yet looking down, this red was nothing to enjoy. The water that had once slipped down my fingers bled into my fingernails and stained red. The basin below me started to rumble as the blood-stained water lashed against the metal walls, suffocating my silent pleas for help. My blurry vision set the image in front of me as clear as day.

Young children whose entire torso burnt to the point where their ribcage protuded outward. They were just younger than me. The smell of burning flesh choking the air. I had a choice. Their fingers intertwined with each other, hoping they'd at least join the afterlife together. I could have just let them live. The older of the three shielded the younger two from my burning flames. They had family too, just like me.

Yet none of that mattered, after all, I killed them by choice. Their blood and the blood of many families stained my hands, all for the sake of The Byakuya.

And no volume of water nor violent scrubbing could purify me of that sin.

My heart thudded in my chest. My feet tingled. My vision disfigured as I saw many more bodies but this time they were stumbling and staggering their disfigured body towards me, jerking their hands like roadkill. The stench of toxic decay replaced the smell of burning flesh as their faces moulded into the same expression, they all flashed before becoming victim to my hands.

Blood rushed to my ears, ringing and drowning out the screams of my victims. I gripped the cold surface below me to stop the tingling in my fingers that only seemed to spread like wildfire. Every breath I took turned shallow and stolid, drowning out every other noise.

I gripped my head, tugging at the strands hoping that the overwhelming pain would soon subside as I continued to stare at the scene in front of me. But this time there was no otherworldly creature staggering to me, just an empty void of nothingness. Y/N. That was until I looked down to see my feet planted on their faces, countless bodies piled up on top of each other. Y/N. A constant reminder that all I am is nothing but a murderer.

"Y/N!" a soothing voice lulled, large hands wrapped over mine, pulling my arms from my head, and suddenly, I was enveloped in warmth. Kushina held me close, her arms coiling around me as if she could shield me from the world.

"It's okay Y/N" Kushina whispered, wiping the tears that clung to my cheeks. Her voice was like a lullaby, grounding me in the moment. "Focus on your breathing. In and out. Just breathe."

I tried to do as she said, anchoring myself to the rhythm of her chest rising and falling beneath my head. Her heartbeat—a steady, calming pulse—drew me away from the violent storm of my thoughts. Slowly, my breaths fell in sync with hers, the panic fading into a dull ache as I nestled deeper into her embrace. I couldn't remember the last time I had let anyone comfort me like this. But now, I found myself surrendering to the quiet strength in her arms, as though she could bear the weight of my guilt for me.

Kushina cradled me, her voice a gentle hum, never once letting go. Her legs must've been numb, kneeling on the ground for so long. She didn't care for the tingling sensation in her knees, almost giving in to the numbness after spending so long in the awkward position. Yet she didn't move, didn't shift. She just held me, her presence wrapping around me like a shield against the darkness clawing at my insides.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself feel safe. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Y/N and Sumire miss Mama Uzumaki and her dangos alot. And to add to that heartbreak, Sumire hates having her time with Y/N cut short.

The memories of The Byakuya constantly haunt Y/N but with Kushina and the rest of Team Two, she's found a new family to find refuge in.

Stay tuned for the next chapter. Shisui will be in it and there's a whole lotta cute stuff between you two! (and some deep talk)

Loving you always, Suri🎀

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter seven - team two

chapter six | chapter eight

"Thank you for meeting on such short notice," said The Hokage, as he watched the Jounins in the room brief themselves over the mission report.

"A few of our ninjas recently completed a B-ranked mission in the Village Hidden by the Rivers, and what they discovered was unexpected and shocking."

Several gasps erupted among the jounins as their eyes fixed on a detail highlighted in the report. The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily in the air. Each of them exchanged wary glances, before ultimately fixing their gaze on a particular individual.

Fugaku Uchiha.

"Black flames engulfed a remote area of the village. We are unaware of any residents who may have occupied this area of land, and I am not hopeful that we will ever find out. Nothing has been left behind from these flames," The Hokage exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.

"Black flames, huh? It's a key staple of the Uchiha clan and their Amaterasu jutsu," Danzo spat, his gaze never leaving Fugaku Uchiha's.

"You sure know a lot about the Uchiha, don't you Danzo?" Fugaku retorted to the elder's comment.

"It couldn't have been one of our ninjas," a yellow-haired ninja interrupted, "The Village Hidden by The Rivers has always secluded itself from any shinobi government. What reason could lead to this attack on a silent village?"

"Minato raises an important point. However, it is difficult to overlook the possibility that an Uchiha committed this attack. Only the Amaterasu can lead to such destruction, leaving behind no corpses or ruins," The Hokage adds, a weary look painted on his face.

"Lord Third, the Amaterasu is a complex and sophisticated jutsu that only a shinobi of my calibre, or perhaps even Shisui's calibre can execute," Fugaku exclaims as he jumps from his seat, "But it couldn't have been us! We've just returned from the front lines!"

"I understand Fugaku," said The Hokage, as he attempted to diffuse the tension building in the meeting room.

"Lord Third, if I may," a voice interrupts, "Sunagakure will eventually investigate this attack, it will be unwise to conduct any research in the Village Hidden By The Rivers, considering the suspicion that's already cast on our village. Besides, we simply cannot commit any high-levelled shinobi; most of them are already on the front lines."

"I agree with you Shikaku. Thank you all for attending, dismissed," The Hokage sighed.

'A village in flames and a mysterious girl turns up. Just who are you Y/N Uzumaki?' The Hokage can't help but think, as he watches his ninja leave the room.

"Since when were you and Shisui best buds?" I asked an unusually cheerful Akira, who couldn't help but display his toothy, shit-eating grin as he watched Shisui walk into class, "You're smiling too much, it's very off-putting."

"What do you mean? Shisui and I go way back. We've always been best buds," Akira chuckled before shuffling into his usual seat by the window.

"I wish to sleep before Kiuske sensei arrives, but anyway, someone wants to talk to you."

He looks up and winks at the said 'someone' before resting his head on his arms.

"Y/N, I am so sorry for being rude to you the other day. I hope you find it in you to forgive me," said someone with unruly, curly black hair as they bowed in front of me.

"Ah, so Uchihas can apologise, it sure took you long enough," I said, earning a chuckle from the 'asleep' Akira.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Shisui muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"At least you apologised... Iforgive you," I replied, before shuffling over to let him sit with us. "Anyways, I thought you were a chunin. Why are you here at the academy?"

"Well to put it lightly I no longer have a team to work with," he sighs, recalling the tragic events of the war, "And Lord Third thought it was in my best interest to be put into a team considering how young I am. And I quote 'To allow me to integrate with my peers and maintain my youth'."

"He's making you out to be some sort of social outcast," Akira chuckled.

"So, you're our age?" I asked.

"Yeah, I graduated a while back and became chunin a few months ago," he said before Kiuske sensei dramatically entered the classroom with several boxes of tissues.

"Oh, here comes Mr. Waterworks," Shisui whispered.

"It seems like just yesterday you were all some snot-nosed brats knowing nothing about the shinobi system. And now you've all grown up into wonderful genin! I'm going to miss you brats so much!" Kiuske sensei wailed as he watched another class fly out of his nest.

"You will face many hardships during your shinobi career but never give up and stay true to yourself. Despite the struggles, never lose yourself on this journey and I promise you, you will always persevere through the hardship. I wish you all the very best." He finished off, wiping the tears that flowed down his cheeks.

"Well, at least he gave some useful advice even if he is dramatic," I said.

"He might seem like a big idiot, but he's probably one of the smartest people I know," Akira muttered as he got up and looked somewhat interested in sensei's words.

"Now it's time for teams," sensei interrupted, before calling up names of three.

"And for team two we have... Shisui Uchiha, Akira Kuran and Y/N Uzumaki."

Well, that doesn't seem too bad. At least I'm on a team with people I can stand.

"Would you look at that? I'm on a team with two of my friends." Akira cheered.

"The future of the hidden leaf lies in your hands; may you protect it with your ninja way! You are all dismissed." Sensei finished off, allowing the Jounin sensei to come in and take their students out, leaving team two in the classroom alone without their sensei.

"I wonder who our sensei is." I pondered.

"Where on earth is our sensei? Everyone's already left with their sensei. I want to get started on some missions already!" Akira cheered

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had something to do, " a voice chirped from the classroom door.

"Kushina-san?!" I asked, surprised to see the beautiful red-haired jonin again.

"It's been a while, Y/N-chan. I heard you're all eager to start your first mission, so as Team 2's first mission, we are going to get to know each other. Let's get out of here and find out each other's strengths and weaknesses." Kushina said, leading all of us to the nearest training ground.

"I want you all to tell me your name, things you like and dislike, your hobbies and dreams for the future." She asked.

"I'll go first. My name is Kushina Uzumaki, I like my village and spending time with my husband. I particularly dislike liars and people who make fun of others. And as for my dreams, I want to have a family of my own, and to see my husband become Hokage." She ended with her signature smile. "Okay, who's next?"

"My name is Akira Kuran. I like sleeping and watching the sky and I don't like being disturbed when I sleep." He said, before having a stare-off with me, "I dream to become a medic, just like my father." After he had finished, Kushina nodded and looked over to Shisui.

"My name is Shisui Uchiha. I like protecting my village, dango and my clan. I dislike selfish and arrogant people. I dream about achieving peace and stability within the nations." He said, before looking at me.

Oh Kami, it's my turn. What on earth do like and dislike? What are my dreams? In all my years of existence, not once have I ever pondered such things. Whatever my answer is, I can't forget that I'm just a girl on the run from captivity with no way back to her family.

"My name is Y/N Uzumaki. I like ramen, dango and watching the skies. I dislike people who bring others down and I haven't really thought of the future much but for now, I want to find my family." I said.

But what do I want for the future? All I've ever dreamed of was running away with my sister to start a new life away from the shinobi world, but what happens then? If running is all I'm doing now, then what awaits me at the end of the finish line? Do I start living then? Does my life truly start when I've made it to the end?

But it doesn't matter how fast I run or the distance I've run so far: running away is futile. It doesn't matter where I end up, I'm always carrying the pain and suffering from one place to another. The cycle never ends, and it never will. It's a race I'll never win.

A race I'm destined to lose.

Even if I do make it to the finish line, what would await me then?

I have no family to turn to, no friends to rely on and most importantly I don't even have myself to count on, so why should I assume my story has a happy ending?

I'm just a defiled, desecrated corpse that's found a way to walk, simply used by everybody, simply living for others but myself. Never have I once lived for myself. So why should I try now?

"Now that we've gotten to know each other, you three are going to complete your first mission." Kushina said, bringing me back to reality, "Shisui, since your chunin, you're going to be my partner.

I have one bell, Akira and Y/N have until noon to get this bell off me. You can use ninjutsu, genjutsu and taijutsu against the both of us."

"Um sensei, why are we doing this test?" Akira questioned.

Why were we doing this test? I thought the test was over since we already made genin. But none of this matters to me, I made chunin 3 years ago back in Kiri, ranking doesn't matter to me.

"Out of all the genin that passed today, only a certain handful will officially be made into genin," she said, "You may start in 3..2..1 GO!"

Akira and I jumped back into the trees and I started planning out my attacks.

Kushina has the bell, so I'd have to slip past Shisui to get to her. But, Kushina's a jonin, she'll notice I'm planning something 50 miles away. Genjutsu's out of the question, there's no way it'll fool Shisui. And I can't use my full power, it'll give away who I am.

I should stick to fire style and wind style, they're the ones I'm strongest at. Perhaps I should use the clone jutsu to act as a decoy, but I'm sure they'll see through that.

"Idiot, I've been calling your name for the past 2 minutes," Akira whispered, causing me to jump at his sudden appearance. "Okay I don't stand a chance against Shisui nor Sensei alone, heck I don't even think that the both of us together could overpower them. But I'm sure we could surprise them if we worked together."

And that's when it clicked.

This was the Leaf's form of testing shinobi values. Unlike Kiri, the Leaf prioritises teamwork over ruthlessly killing your comrades. There's no way two mere 'genin' could overpower a chunin and a jonin.

"I'm not the fastest, so I'll act as a decoy. I think we should distract them with clones, then you go for Kushina sensei." Akira whispered, "We'll have to be as fast as we can. Shisui's renowned for his speed, he'll get through the clones faster than you think. Plus, I have a score to settle with him."

"Okay, I have a plan for how to take down Kushina. Wind clone jutsu." I said after performing the handsigns for the move.

Akira made 8 clones and we both headed out to where Shisui and Kushina were. Akira and his clones headed straight for Shisui and I took this moment to creep up behind Kushina. I had one hand behind my back performing my main jutsu and a kunai in the other.

I planned on distracting sensei by confusing her with my clones and transforming into the 'bells' to make her seem as if she had dropped them. But before I could even try and transform, all my clones were wiped out by a water-style jutsu performed by Kushina.

"You're going to have to try harder than that, Y/N-chan." She said, as she kicked my legs and pinned me to the floor as she held a kunai to my neck. "Looks like I win."

"Check again sensei." I gushed. Kushina was soon blown away by my wind clone she had pinned to the floor. I noticed Akira sprint towards me, he must've managed to distract Shisui.

Jeez, Shisui did a number on him; He looks awful.

"Y/N, I'll perform an earth style jutsu. Can you perform lightning? The two will combine to make a powerful jutsu." Akira panted, before straightening up again.

"I'm not the best at lightning but I can try," I whispered.

The both of us performed the hand signs for our combined move, one that will render Kushina sensei paralysed for a few seconds. That's all we need, a few seconds to swipe the bell of her.

"Earth style: ground shockwave!" "Lightning style: Lightning bolt!"

Suddenly, the ground beneath us started to ebb violently with a surge of lightning swimming through it. This was the opening we needed.

Akira and I ran straight after our jutsu, towards Kushina, but we were blown away by a surge of wind.

"Fire style: Fireball jutsu!" Shisui shouted as he ran through the trees to where we were. "Sensei, are you okay?" he asked as he pulled Kushina to her feet, frantically checking for any injuries.

"I'm okay Shisui, thank you." She replied.

"Hey how did you get out of my trap?" Akira questioned.

"Mediocre traps don't require much effort to get out of." Shisui giggled before tying me and Akira to a tree.

"TAKE THAT BACK BASTARD! IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD TRAP, RIGHT?" Akira yelled as he kicked his legs in annoyance.

"It couldn't have been that good if he's stood right in front of us Bakakira." I chuckled.

"I think they did a pretty good job you know! What do you think Shisui?" Kushina said, dusting off her trousers.

"I think they understood the purpose of the test right at the beginning, right?"

"It was all about teamwork!" Akira and I said simultaneously.

"There was no way we were going to get the bell on our own, so we decided to team up." Akira said

"Wait, we never managed to get the bell. Does that mean we aren't genin?" I asked, looking up to the towering shinobi above us.

"We purposely tried to pit you guys against each other to see if you could overcome your selfishness, but it seems as if that was pointless.

You worked together from start to finish. Not many teams have managed to see through that. I'm proud of you two and you should be proud of yourselves, you know!" Sensei said as she ruffled our hair.

"I'm proud of you too Shisui, thank you for backing me up there." She untied us from the tree and pulled us all into a massive group hug. "Looks like Team 2 is official! Our first proper mission starts tomorrow so I want you all well rested, okay!"

"Understood Sensei!" we replied.

"Let's go have some celebratory ramen, I'm paying. Let's go!"

ramen break sponsored by ichiraku ramen (ig: fanny_eerm)

Did life truly have no meaning up until now? The few short years I spent with my mother before the damnable world chained me to a world of crime, the sleepless nights spent with Sumire in our little attic world and meeting Team Two - all of it seemed like a fragmented memory, floating away in the distance as the aroma of perfectly balanced soy and miso wafted through my nose.

The tender pork melted in my mouth, so buttery and light in texture. The egg that had been floating on the rich, savoury broth practically dissolved on my tongue. The warmth of the broth spread through me as each bite tasted like comfort wrapped in a savoury blanket.

I paused mid-chew, eyes watering up at the perfection before me as I lowered my chopsticks.

"I... I LOVE YOU MR. TEUCHI!" I gasped, blinking at the very chef responsible for my tears who was already grinning.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoy it so much!" he chuckled as he went back to boil some more noodles.

"I think you're going to have a new regular Teuchi, you know!" Kushina laughed as she watched me wolf down my ramen.

By the time I finished, my bowl was cleaned spotless and I found myself longingly stare at the bottomless abyss hoping that Kami will refill my bowl with more delicious ramen. I turned to Shisui, who was watching me with an amused smirk.

"You know Y/N, you're souper special to me," Shisui uttered as he placed a fishcake into my bowl, "Udon know how much I care."

The entire room fell into a discernible silence as Shisui's words hung in the air. Each of us took turns to glance at the Uchiha before glancing at each other. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as a smile tugged at my lips. "Did you really just say that?" I asked as I shook my head.

"Don't be so broth-ered, Y/N, life is too short to be miso-serious!"

"Shisui you dork," I chuckled as I playfully shoved him.

Shisui laughed, clearly pleased with himself, as he dodged my shove. "Hey, I'm just trying to ramen calm and carry on," he said with a wink.

I couldn't help but grin at how ridiculous he was being. "How do you even come up with these?" I asked, my voice filled with both exasperation and amusement.

"I noodle my way through it," he replied, his grin widening.

"Okay, now you're really pushing it," I laughed, shaking my head. I sit back in my chair as my thoughts started to cloud over me. The longer I stay in Konoha, the deeper the ties I forge as Shisui, Akira and Kushina sensei as they slowly etch their way into my heart.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Y/N and Akira have officially graduated from the Academy! As fate would have it, they’ve been placed on the same team as Shisui, under the guidance of their mentor, Kushina.

However, Y/N cannot escape the lurking eye of Konoha's elitist shinobi. How long can she hide for before her entire past unravels before her. Stay tuned to find out

As always you can find this story on wattpad too!

Let me know what you think! Personally, I think I have outdone myself with chapter twelve, its real funny. I can’t wait for you guys to read it!

Lots of Love,

Suri

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter six - brotherhood

chapter five | chapter seven

Hues of red and gold danced over each other, as the evening sky dusked Konoha. A young boy ran through the streets, his hair glowing a golden wheat tone as he sought to find his best friend.

"Shisui! Wait up, Kami. You know me and my asthma can't keep up." Akira yelled, leaning on his knees to catch his breath after catching up with Shisui.

"What do you want?" Shisui snapped, his jaded eyes staring straight at Akira.

"Fight me and don't hold back this time." Akira pleaded as he dragged Shisui to the nearest training ground.

Both boys readied themselves: one eager to knock some sense into his disillusioned friend.

They started off sending and returning simple punches which soon unravelled into a series of kicks.

But by this point, it was obvious that Shisui had no intention of taking Akira seriously by receiving all the incoming blows, his face bruised and bloody. Akira was given no choice but to use the last weapon stored in his arsenal- The talk no jutsu.

"Why are you doing nothing, you coward?" Akira howled, becoming increasingly impatient with the deadened fight, "Cowards don't deserve to be called shinobi."

"You're right, I don't deserve to be called a shinobi." Shisui stated as he backed up onto a tree, falling to the floor. He untied his headband and held it in his hands for a brief second, before throwing it to the floor as if it were defiled, dirty and degraded. For a split second, you could see his eyes falter. They held regret, disappointment and shame. But the more he continued to open up, the harder the walls he so forcefully held up began to crumble.

"I'm a selfish coward who's cursed with this stupid Uchiha name!" Shisui screamed, "You don't understand what happened out there during the war. I killed. I killed the very comrades I swore to protect when I received that headband."

"What do you mean Shisui?"

Shisui raised his head to meet the gaze of his friend when he heard a small gasp escape his mouth.

A deep red shade danced over his pupils. But instead of the normal 3 tomoe pattern Akira was expecting, a new pattern branded his pupils: a pinwheel of 4 spiralling curves.

"Do you know why Itsuki never came back? During the war we were ambushed by kumo nin and cornered us. We were just chunin, and we didn't know how we were going to get out of there," Shisui screamed, pulling at his hair as tears streamed down his face, "Itsuki never made it. And it was all my fault! If I had only offered my hand, he didn't have to die. I could have saved him and I didn't!"

"Shisui, that wasn't your fault. You were left in an impossible position to get out of. Thank Kami someone found you, it isn't your fault."

"But it is! Our best friend is dead because of me! We promised we'd protect Konoha together, get put on the same team and now that will never happen."

"I still can't see how any of this is your fault."

"It is! He was blessed with everything, extraordinary skill far greater than the both of ours combined. He was always miles ahead of us, running in front of danger, never thinking twice to protect us. I couldn't get to him in time... I killed him. I killed our brother!" Shisui vented, "The overwhelming emotion caused my eyes to evolve into the Mangekyou Sharingan. It awakened from the regret of not being able to save Itsuki that day. Don't you see? I'm just a coward, a murderer! I don't deserve to be called a shinobi...

And look! Everyone praises me for this stupid eye! Shisui of the Sharingan! The boy who unlocked his mangekyo so soon! This cursed Uchiha name worships me for killing Itsuki!"

The red and gold hues darkened into a midnight blue as the night sky covered the corners of Konoha. The silence that followed Shisui's confession was thick enough to stifle any creature of the night.

Yet despite this suffocating feeling, it was nimbly sliced by the sound of a slap that hammered Shisui's cheek.

"You idiot! Don't you understand? There was nothing you could have done; you did everything that you could have" Akira yelled. "Are you really going to beat yourself up for what happened? We're shinobi Shisui. Do you remember what Itsuki told us when you two graduated?

'The life of a shinobi is only going to get harder from here on out. There may be a time where we are forced to make sacrifices for the greater good of the village so don't let those sacrifices be in vain. Honor the fallen shinobi!'. Don't forget the lessons he taught us Shisui!

He sacrificed himself for you to come back to the leaf, our home, and to protect it with the new visual powers you have been blessed with. You aren't a coward; you are a shinobi of the hidden leaf village." Akira said as he picked up Shisui's headband off the ground and passed it to him. He took a seat next to Shisui and stared up at the night sky adorned with glistening stars.

"It's our responsibility to protect the people and to bring peace to this world." Akira said, "The most honorable act you could do is to make sure Itsuki's name is not lost in vain. Honour him, remember him and continue to protect the Leaf."

"Thank you, Akira" Shisui muttered, tears streaming down his face.

"Well, we're brothers Shisui, never forget that." Akira said, "I don't like serious, bitch-face Shisui. I prefer the goofy version better."

"Heh, you're right. Being a bitch doesn't suit me at all." Shisui chuckled, wiping his tears.

"You managed to scare away the new girl Y/N. I think that's a first, no girl has ever been scared off by THE Shisui Uchiha."

"I was a bit rude to her. I'll apologise tomorrow." Shisui said, reaching his arm out to the night sky, "Thank you Akira. You're really smart when you actually use your head."

"Pfft, I'm always smart you cry-baby."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The Itachi Shinden novel states that Shisui unlocked his Mangekyo Sharingan after witnessing a close friend die on a mission and subsequently felt responsible for his death. I wanted to explore Shisui's feelings and how he processed his friends death, which is why he seems very out of character.

But fear not! I have been writing away and goofy, humble, cute, sexy Shisui Uchiha will return soon. (And turns out his flirt game is pretty strong too)

Loving you always,

Suri 🎀

[luv-kakashi]

i have just discovered dividers‼️ i love them so much @enchanthings 🎀

◦˚~ SPACE DIVIDERS ( colourful ) by enchanthings ~˚◦

Info: these were all drawn & edited by me. please reblog/like if use!

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter four | chapter six

chapter five - practise exam

Fun facts about Akira: He has very light brown hair and hazel eyes. He looks up to his father a lot and is immensely grateful for everything his mom does to support their family. His father unfortunately passed away when he was young. He has an older brother He's also incredibly passionate about changing the shinobi world so that the future generation doesn't have to go through what he did. He kinda basically looks like Kenya from Erased hehe :) (Edit: Just realised he also looks like sakuta too lmao)

Anyways on with the chapter!

"Why is Shisui back at the academy? Isn't he chunin? Didn't he just serve in the war?"

"I heard that he was the only one from his team that came back?"

"I wonder if Itsuki has come back too."

"Well I heard that Shisui let Itsuki die on the front lines. I'm not surprised considering he's an Uchiha."

It had only been 5 minutes since I took my seat next to Akira, and the entire class managed to stuff the room with talks of a shinobi named Shisui Uchiha.

An Uchiha. We learned about the major shinobi clans in the Kirigakure academy. A clan known for their visual prowess allowing them to visualise chakra, mimic jutsus and induce a deep hypnosis more potent than any normal genjutsu.

In the Byakuya, we were given strict instructions to retreat if we made contact with a shinobi that the Byakuya considered to be 'blacklisted'. The name Shisui Uchiha made frequent appearances in the blacklisted books, his speed and deadly precision were legendary.

"Bakakira, who is this Shisui everyone seems to be so infatuated with?" I asked, poking his sleepy head.

"Oi will you stop that! Shisui was a classmate and a friend who graduated a few years earlier than us. He was promoted to chunin and just served in the war. Now stop bothering me." He whisper-yelled before resting his head in his arms.

"Quiet down class! Today we're having an exam to prepare you for graduation exam." Kisuke sensei said, causing groans to interrupt him. I zoned out from whatever he was saying as Akira leaned towards me.

"This is the 6th 'exam' we've had this week. I swear to Kami if it's another written test, I might just jump off the hokage stone faces and drag Kisuke sensei to the grave with me." Akira whispered to me, causing me to giggle – not so loudly- in front of the entire class.

"You find exams funny, now do you Y/N chan? Well, we'll see if you're laughing when it's your turn to spar." Kisuke sensei retorted, "Stay behind after class."

I sent a not-so sarcastic smile his way as Akira chuckled at me.

Just wait Akira, I'll get you soon.

Kisuke sensei continues with his lesson, explaining the values of taijutsu and the details of the exam.

"It's a taijutsu exam then. FYI everyone here is pretty mediocre apart from the kid at the front who no one talks to, Shisui and yours truly." Akira boasted, pointing his thumb at himself.

"I won't believe it until I see it Bakakira." I said just as the lunch bell rang, "Kisuke sensei talks too long, I'm sure we could have had 3 pairs spar by now."

"You haven't even had the worst of it. I've had him for the past three years." Akira groaned, "I'm heading to the bathroom then the tree, meet me there if you want."

"Okay, I'll see you there."

"Oh, and enjoy your scolding from sensei."

After a ten-minute scolding from sensei about respect and patience, I finally started making my way to the tree; it was mine and Akira's favourite place out of the entire academy.

Jeez, he really talks for too long. No one gives two shits about respect and patience. Well, patience can perhaps get you somewhere in this shinobi world.

But respect is completely unheard of. It gets you nowhere, not when you're just used like a tool, discarded the moment you're no longer needed.

I hadn't even made it half way through the corridor before I slammed into something, more like someone and fell yet again on the cold hard ground.

I think Kami haunts this academy and loves to trip me up for fun. Or maybe I just have a natural affinity for floor.

"I'm sorry." I said, my face turning a bright red.

"Watch where you're going kid." A stoic voice snapped as a pair of onyx eyes glared down at me.

"I said I was sorry, jerk."

"What did you say?" He asked, raising his eyebrow. His eyes flooded with a deep red tone as he continued to stare down at me, looming many feet above my body.

The sharingan

I got up and dusted my legs and stared straight back at him. So, this must be the Shisui Uchiha everyone's talking about. And that must be his sharingan.

"You heard me. Do Uchiha's not know how to accept apologies?" I retorted as I turned my back on him. I started to make my way to the tree where I was supposed to meet Akira, but before I could a certain black-haired, onyx-eyed Uchiha tightly held my wrist, squeezing it hard and turning me to face him.

Start the water works now Y/N, Start them real quick. Can't let him suspect for even a second that I'm also a shinobi and not just a child in the academy.

"You're the one who bumped into me and now you're going to cry. Seriously? You're in the academy, training to become an elite shinobi, yet my grip has you on the verge of tears. The leaf doesn't need a cry-baby to protect them. Grow up or give up." He spat as he shoved my wrist and walked away.

Are all Uchiha rude bastards?

Lunch break sponsored by kirby itadori yuuji!

"Alright, for the first part of the exam, I'm going to pair you up with one of your classmates and I want you to spar.

You know the rules, no weapons, no ninjutsu and avoid the groin. I can't believe I have to reiterate that.

The battle ends when one individual is unable to get back onto their feet. Understood?" sensei asked us as we all nodded in agreement before he looked back down at his clipboard.

"Great, Y/N Uzumaki and Katsumi Aikawa are up first." He said as the girl, Katsumi, and I stepped forward to the sparring spot.

"Are you two ready?" Kisuke sensei asked as we nodded in unison before starting our match, "BEGIN!"

Surely people expect a kunoichi from a shinobi clan to know some sort of taijutsu, so it must be okay for me to defend myself and even hop onto the offensive. They shouldn't suspect anything.

I charged towards Katsumi and we began throwing a barrage of jabs towards each other, all whist blocking the others hits. The longer the match went on, the more gasps filled the air. I noticed the Uchiha stare at the match in front of him, making me smirk right back at him

'Yeah, you watch Uchiha.' I said to myself as I finished off the match with a roundhouse kick, sending the poor girl to the floor.

I pounce on her back and hold two fingers near her neck as my other hand tightly pulls her left arm, pinning her to the floor.

"It looks like Y/N wins, that concludes this first match." Kisuke sensei applauded, as I made my way to Akira.

"Looks like the donkey has skills." Akira scoffed

"Haha you're funny" I said, rolling my eyes at his remark, "I'm not some helpless girl I'll have you know."

"I never said you were, donkey."

"Akira! Stop disrupting my lessons, in fact, you can go next! Your opponent is Shisui, now hurry up and get here!" Kisuke sensei barked, clearly annoyed at our little conversation.

"Well good luck, and do me a favour and knock the Uchiha off his high horse." I whispered

"Since when were you all fiesty about Shisui?"

"Ever since lunch. Stop asking and go fight him." I said, shooing him to the spot, "Good luck Bakakira."

Akira made his way to the spot and charged straight towards Shisui, going in for a kick which was soon blocked by Shisui. The entire class was captivated by the barrage of kicks and punches thrown by Akira, evident by the series of "woahs" and "wows" which followed every move.

But something was off about the match. More like something was off about Shisui.

He dodged and dived each of Akira's attacks lifelessly, swaying side to side with no vitality, refusing to even make contact with Akira. His eyes held the same, still, stoic look as he dodged each punch and kick.

A look I'm all too familiar with. A look that never disappeared from my face when I worked for The Byakuya.

A look that may look apathetic, cocky and inanimate at first, but after penetrating past its defences, you find yourself staring at a bottomless abyss which stares right back at you with one word plastered over its eyes.

Pain

Akira, being the idiot he is, grew increasingly impatient with the flow of the uneventful fight and attempted right hook at Shisui.

"Stop holding back and fight me coward! This isn't like you!" Akira yelled.

The next series of moves happened so quick; it had the entire class, including Kisuke sensei, in awe. Shisui ducked and avoided Akira hook, leaving Akira open. Shisui took this moment to kick straight at Akira's chest causing him to fly straight into our lunch tree.

"And the winner is Shisui. Akira, Shisui, come make the unison sign." Kisuke sensei asked as everyone cheered for him but me.

Akira made his way to Shisui and the two had a stare-down: one with his sharingan blaring the other refusing to blink. Before the stare-down could go any longer, Kisuke sensei interrupted them both.

"Now boys, we don't have all day."

Both boys raised their hands, the entire class expecting them to perform the unison sign but what came after was (to say the least) unexpected.

Akira and Shisui raised their fists, and not a second later, they punched each other right in the face. Noses bleeding, they stumbled back, each clutching their face in shock and pain. For a brief moment, they stood frozen, staring at one another with wide eyes, before Kiuske sensei interrupted.

"Shisui! Akira! What is the meaning of this? I thought the class honour students might be able to stick to the basic shinobi rules! Yet, the both of you can't even make the unison sign!" Kisuke sensei bellowed, "You two used to be so close, I thought that just maybe this would promote some healthy competition between you two."

"Bastard, why did you hold back?" Akira asked, disregarding everything Kisuke sensei just said as he yelled at Shisui.

"Whatever, I'm leaving right now. I have real chunin duties to do, I don't have the time to be playing around with children." Shisui said, before turning his back on the whole class and making his way out of the academy.

"Akira, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed, now go!" Kisuke sensei said. I mouthed Akira a quick bye and took off with the rest of the class.

Sigh. Was the only thing that came out of the Jonin's mouth as he leaned against his desk, looking at the young shinobi infront of him.

"Well, what was that all about?" He asked.

"Sorry Sensei. I didn't mean to lose my cool, but I'm sure you saw it too." Akira said, his head held between his hands, tugging at his hair in frustration

"I know."

"When he came back, he looked at me as if he didn't even know me. And that's not even the worst part. That isn't Shisui. That's not the brother I promised to protect this village with. His eyes looked so empty; it was like I was staring at nothing."

"This is the harsh reality of being a shinobi. We see and do things in the name of 'justice' but when in reality we just commit crimes to protect those in a mirage we call peace and stability." Sensei said ruffling Akira's hair, "But kid, your generation has the ability to stop these unwanted deaths and violence."

"I can't imagine what he must have seen to make him go from the humble goofy idiot we all knew to this lifeless stranger."

"Akira, you are going to go through many hardships as a shinobi and whatever's happened to Shisui may happen to you or your peers. But don't forget, shinobi are human too. I think Shisui is torn between his loyalty to being a shinobi and just being human, he's trying to lock away the very things that make him 'weak'. Talk to him, let him vent his emotions."

"Thank you, sensei. I'll bring back our Shisui." Akira smiled; determination painted across his face. He was sure to bring his brother back into the light.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Looks like Y/N has some moves of her own! Just what could have possibly happened to Shisui for him to become so unrecognisable to Akira?

Sorry if Shisui seems OOC, there is an explanation! Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter! I have just finished editing Chapters 9-11 and they are long but I'm so excited for you, dearest reader, to read them!

Loving you always, Suri 🎀

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter three | chapter five

chapter four - academy

"A genjutsu has blocked parts of her memories we're unable to navigate through them," said a blonde-haired ninja, "Though everything she told you so far checks out with the memories she has Lord Third."

"So she truly is an Uzumaki. She mentioned she moved to The Hidden Mist Village. Is this true Inoichi?" asked the Hokage.

"Her memories show her and a few clan members moving from Uzushiogakure to Kirigakure when she was young. However, there is about a year or two's worth of memories blocked from us. The furthest I can see too is her being taken to a room or a lab... Could it be that the Uzumaki is blocking us from seeing her memories?"

"I doubt that she can complete such a refined and powerful jutsu at such a young age," Kushina spoke up, breaking the very still silence, "Regardless, she is still a child, we must-"

"Do not let her age be an oversight Kushina. Children can be capable of anything. Look at that retched Uchiha. Shisui was it? The one who murdered his fellow teammate on the front lines. Do not talk of children as innocent beings. They are just as capable of destruction as we are," an elder spat with a look of disdain painted in his expression.

"Now, now Danzo. You mustn't judge our respected ninjas on baseless accusations," the Hokage remarked, "What else can you see in her memories Inoichi?"

"Y/N Uzumaki... she's a deeply damaged child," Inoichi admitted, "Her family, her experience in the academy in Kirigakure..., none of it is fitting for a child."

"I see," sighed the Hokage, "Regardless, she needs to be monitored whilst she is here in the village. Not to mention, we still do not know if there are any other Uzumaki's in the same position as her, or if they're alive even. And we still don't have a definitive reason as to why Y/N Uzumaki is on the run, more specifically who captured her and why."

The room becomes enveloped in silence. It was almost stifling as the suspicion settled in their minds.

"I'll see to it that an anbu member is dispatched to follow her, dismissed." The Hokage exclaimed as he dismissed the jounins from the meeting and sat back in his chair, leaving a single red-haired kunoichi with him.

Just who was Y/N Uzumaki? Who took her captive? Why are her memories blocked? 

"Lord third, is it okay if Y/N gets put on my team? We're one member short, you know, and I would love to give the poor girl some closure. She's an Uzumaki! And besides I refuse to-"

"I understand Kushina," the hokage interrupted, "I planned for her to join your team, being with another Uzumaki might give her some closure."

"Thank you Lord Third!"

By the time I made it to my apartment after my run-in with Zetsu, dawn had already broke in Konoha and sleep crept its way over my body. But that doesn't matter as long as I am with her.

Sumire leaned back in her chair, eyes half closed, letting her memories wash over her as she played with my hair.

"Do you remember," she began, her voice barely louder than a whisper, "the summer before I started at the academy, when we played in the attic pretending like it was our own world? We thought we were so smart, hiding from everyone, like no one could see us.""

"Of course I do! We used to drag every pillow and blanket in sight just to make a fort. Stay up late with a flashlight and you'd tell ghost stories, and I would always end up too afraid to sleep." I remarked as nostalgia filled the air around us.

Sumire chuckled at the memory, shrugging with a playful grin as she pinched my cheek, "I don't think I ever scared you. You were always the braver one."

We fell into a comforting silence as we listened to the evening cicadas hum their songs.

"I quite liked our little attic world," she said after a while, her voice soft and gentle as though the precious memory would shatter at any moment if she uttered those words any louder, "you, me and our little attic wor-."

The morning songs whistled by the birds drew me back to reality. I am no longer the innocent, naïve girl who can run up to her attic and pretend that this sick, twisted reality doesn't exist.

Oh well, this is going to be harder than I thought but for now all I can do is play the part of a girl on the run from a kidnapper whose missing her parents.

How ironic.

"SHIT! I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" I yelled as I tried to shove my shoes on, tripping whilst doing so.

I rushed out of the door before hitting the railing of the apartment sidewalk. Sprinting down the stairs, I prayed to Kami that with some divine intervention I'd make it to the academy on time.

I ran through the halls and stood outside my classroom, listening in on the chatter and gossip between the other kids.

Perhaps this is my chance to start anew. A chance to have a normal childhood.

Taking in a deep breath, I slid the door open as the teacher greeted me, "Hello, I'm Kisuke sensei. Everyone, meet your new classmate."

"I'm Y/N Uzumaki. Please treat me well and I hope we can all get along." I said a bit too excitedly as I bowed down in front of my classmates.

I hoped on making a good impression them yet it must seem that the stars do take enjoyment in my failures as I tripped on the first step towards the desks.

Kami, just eat me alive.

At this point I'd rather be 7 feet under the ground then at the academy.

And of course, luck just wasn't on my side today.  The stifling silence was ripped by a multitude of laughs and jeers.

"Oh Kami, she just tripped!"

"How did she miss the step that's right in front of her?"

"Good luck becoming a shinobi with those reflexes." The children jeered, mocking the way I fell over, pointing out every single insignificant detail about the way I look and talk.

Kiri kids were nothing like this; they were much worse. Had I done this in Kirigakure, I would have been physically tormented. Just thinking about it makes my scars ache.

"IDIOTS! You all act as if you've never tripped before in your lives and besides did you just not hear who she is? She's from a famous shinobi clan. And to think you're going to graduate and become successful shinobi. You might just have more luck becoming a mute donkey but that would be an insult to all the mute donkey in the world! So shut it! You're ruining my sleep!" a voice yelled, annoyed by his petty classmates.

"Now, now Akira, no need to insult your peers like that. AND STOP SLEEPING IN MY LESSONS!"

Before he could yell a string of profanities, the Akira boy held his tongue before letting out a barely audible 'Hn'.

What a bipolar child.

He shouts snarky remarks yet his vocabulary seems as broad as a toothpick. Interesting.

"Apologies Y/N-chan. And for that lovely public display, Y/N chan is going to tail you for the rest of the day so she gets a feel for academy life." Kisuke sensei retorts as he points to a now sleeping Akira, who has his head between his arms, "Don't you dare ignore me young man!"

"Whatever." Akira yawned as he waved his hand lazily.

"Please take a seat by Akira Kuran whose over there, Y/N chan." Sensei said pointing his finger to a now sleeping boy.

I slowly made my way to the sleeping child. His demeanor was amusing to say the least but I can't break out of character; remember who you are, a runaway, a nothing. As I took my seat next to the very clearly disinterested  Akira, I heard him mumble something into his arm loud enough for the both of us to hear.

"Donkey"

The academy -to say the least- was uneventful. Children learning about chakra, its natures and control. Children were only learning them now at age 12. Did kids in Konoha have it this easy?The village hidden in the mist subjected every young child to violence and pain. The village was  heralded as the 'blood mist village'.

By age 8 I was forced to fight against the children I spent the last 5 years of my life with. Forced to mercilessly kill my friends for the prospect of graduating the academy.

"Psst Akira! It's time for lunch." I whispered, chuckling at his half sleepy state.

"Huh? Guess it's time to go sleep under the tree then" he muttered as he sluggishly dragged his legs down the steps, stopping a few centimeters into the corridor. I followed him through the academy halls before I knocked onto his back, falling onto the floor during the process.

"You know, when I called you a donkey, I didn't think you'd take it to heart and start following me like one."  He chuckled before turning around to give me a hand.

"Jerk! You're supposed to be my guide." I said as I turned my head away from his gaze, pouting towards the wall.

"Pout any longer and your lip will reach the floor, donkey." he laughed, still holding out his hand for me. I reluctantly took his hand and stood up. We made our way through the academy training grounds until Akira stopped and lied down on the grass under the tree.

"What are you doing?" I asked

"Learning how to fly. What do you think I'm doing? I'm watching the sky."

"I can see that Bakakira. Why aren't you eating lunch?"

"Meh I'm not hungry."

"Well, let's see why you enjoy watching the sky." I said as I lied down, letting the soft grass cushion my back, "I must admit the skies here are much prettier than the skies back in the hidden mist village, whether it be the blue skies of the day or dusk or dawn or even midnight, the skies always make me feel at peace."

"I used to watch the skies with my dad every day when I was younger and I love to still do it now. I feel like I can connect with him this way."

"I think that's quite admirable, Akira-kun.  Watching the skies gives me some sort of comfort, it is constant which gives me hope that things will get better."

"I'm glad you are staying hopeful during this. I heard what had happened, my mum serves as an elite bodyguard to the hokage, I hope you find your family soon."

"That means a lot Akira-kun, thank you."

"Of course, nothing I wouldn't do for a friend." He said as he turned his head to face mine and smiled.

"Who knew Akira-kun had a lil soft side to him." I chuckled

"Way to ruin the moment donkey."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Suspicion brews amongst the elite shinobi as Y/N Uzumaki starts Academy life.

And although the floor naturally calls her name, Y/N has found company with the ever-so sarcastic Akira.

How will she adapt to her new life?

(I hope you are enjoying the story so far!) Loving you always, Suri🎀

[luv-kakashi]

I made a lil book cover for my fanfic ‘One of us is dead’

I’ve heard that it’s good, you should give it a read 😉

Love,

Suri 🎀