The Returning [EDITED]

*Ayumi's POV*

Today is our last day staying in the land of crystals. We are currently on the seashore saying goodbyes to everyone. I am hugging Yuusuke tightly as he continued whispering some sweet words.

"Yuusuke, maybe you should go with them." Master Hans said.

"But what about you guys?" Yuu asked. Actually, I am happy what master Hans suggested. But part of me telling him not to go with us. Iya patted his shoulder and smiled.

"We are fine, Yuusuke. As long as your sister will not be upset when they got home. She needs you than us." I smiled slightly. Yuusuke patted my head agreeing in what Iya said. I am very happy that he'll be coming with us.

"So you'll be coming?" Kakashi Sensei asked. Yuu nodded happily wrapping his arms around me. I giggled softly as we rode the ship. I flick my arms forward as the water pushes the ship away. The ship started to move. I look at the island and wave my hands up high.

"Take care guys!!!!" I screamed. I saw them smile and wave their hands. I'll miss them so much. Luckily, I have Yuusuke by my side.

"Are you sure bout leaving them?" I asked looking at him sincerely.

"As long as I protect my sister." He said smiling at me. I giggled and hug him gently as he pat my head. I'm so happy to have my brother with me now that I'm in a great trouble with the Akatsuki.

~~~~~~

We reach Konoha for a week. Tsunade-sensei accepted Yuu as to be a leaf ninja since he is well trusted and my brother.

Me and Yuu are walking through the hospital to operate Lee. Yup, today, Lee will be operated by me, Laito and Tsunade-sama.

"Ready for the operation?" Laito asked as we reach the hospital. His team and our friends came to pray for Lee. I nodded and smile at them assuringly.

"We'll do our best to bring back Lee." I said.

"We have faith in you." Neji said. We nodded as we entered the operating room where Tsunade-Sensei is waiting.

"Let's start." Tsunade-Sensei said putting her gloves on. Laito will be on his heart just in case his heartbeat stop. Me and Sensei will be on the broken bones and other injuries.

First, I start with his right arm. I place my hands on his arm as my hands started to glow green. I heard cracking sounds which is a good sign.

"Careful, Ayumi. You have to do this process slowly. Laito, focus on his heartbeat." Sensei instructed. We both nodded continuing our work.

"Tsunade-sama!! His heartbeat is getting fainter." Laito said with a panic voice.

"I'll go for it!! You go with his bones. I'll be in his heartbeat." I said. He nodded and we exchange places. Like what I did to the dead fish, I slowly pour chakra on my hands little by little. I panic when the heartbeat stop. I tried to revive him again but this time, I place my chakra with a large amount.

"His gone..." Laito said sadly. I ignore him trying to revived him.

"You can't do anything, Ayumi. He's dead." Sensei said. I shook my head continuing my healing.

"Ayumi.."

"No, I promise my friends to bring back Lee. I promise them!! I can't fail!!" I cried.

'Ayumi... I'll help you bring back his heartbeat.' Hikari said.

"H-How?" I asked sniffling.

'I'll give a set of chakra.' He said. I felt my chakra grew stronger as the blue chakra around my hands turn to a glowing white. I heard his heartbeat again. I smiled widely.

"You did it!!!" Laito said happily clasping his both hands together.

"Good job. Let's finish this." Sensei said and continued healing him.

Hours passed the operation is done. We successfully did it.

"Ayumi, tell them about Lee." Sensei said. I nodded walking out of the operating room. I saw all of them looking worried for our friend. Naruto saw me.

"How's Lee!??" Naruto asked.

"He almost died. But luckily, we save him. He's fine. He needs to take a lot of rest." I said and they all sighed in relief.

"Thank Kami." Tenten said softly.

"He'll be out for a month or so. He's really worn out." I said. Neji suddenly hug me which surprised me.

"Thank you for saving him." He whispered at me. I blush a bit. He released the hug. Tsunade-Sensei and Laito came out the operating room.

"Thank you for saving him." Tenten said and bow at Tsunade-Sensei.

"There's no problem for that and Ayumi, may I have word with you?" I nodded following Tsunade-Sensei to her office. The two of us sat in a great awkward silent when she started to speak.

"I have a feeling the Akatsuki wants you." She said as I flinch a little.

"They want me to join them." I admitted.

"I'll give you a mission. Higher than a S rank mission. Promise me not to tell your friends and your Sensei. Understood?" I nodded slowly really curious about my mission.

"Fine, what is it?"

~~~~~~

"HELL NO!!" I sat on the sofa with my arms crossed.

"Yumi, are you crazily talking to yourself?" Yuu asked placing a glass of water on the table.

"It's Tsunade-Sensei." I pouted.

"Huh? Why?" Yuu asked.

"It goes like this..."

~FLASHBACK~

"You have to join the Akatsuki to earn their trust so we can get information." I gasped at what Sensei said to me.

"WHAT!!?? But.." I can't finish my sentence.

"For the sake of Konoha, Ayumi. You have to join!! Whether you kill someone!! You have to act like nothing!!"

"But what about my friends?" I asked sadly.

"You have to act as dead." My eyes widened.

"I can't cheat at them. They are my friends."

"You have to. I know you can. We have to stop them before anything gets worst."

"So this is like kinda sacrifice?" I asked.

"More like a sacrifice." I was in a deep thought debating whether to accept or not. But for the village and my friends' sake, I'll do anything to protect them.

"I'll do it. But if they'll know about this, I'm sure I'm dead." I said.

"I know, Ayumi. Just do your best for our village especially for Naruto and the others." I smiled reassuringly giving her a thumbs up.

"I'll give the signal when do I leave."

~END OF FLASHBACK~

"That's too dangerous!! You're risking your own life here, Yumi." Yuu said to me.

"I know, Yuu. But I'm doing this for my friends and to my village. I have my own will. This is my shinobi way." I said.

"To sacrifice yourself!!?? Are you crazy!!??"

"You know that I treasure my friends. I won't let anyone touch them." I said calmly. I stood up walking upstairs. I stop in the halfway and face him. "I need your support. Your the only person that I love most Yuusuke." I said sadly. I close the door and lock it. I went to the roof and sat on there to look at the shining stars. I felt two familiar scent behind me so I turn around and look at them calmly.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Have you made up your mind joining the Akatsuki?" Kisame asked. I smirked softly facing my back against them.

"Fine, I'll join. You're right. This village looks weaker than I thought. When do we leave?" I asked facing them.

"We'll leave after Sasuke leaves the village." Itachi said emotionless.

"Fine. But I have to proclaim myself first dead before I leave and I know what to do so no need for those plans." I said while my arms crossed.

"This child is a smart one! I like it!!" Kisame chuckled patting my head.

"Let's go Kisame. Leader is finding us already." Itachi said as they both disappeared from the view. I sighed softly slumping down the ground looking at the night sky, I wish I'm doing the right thing.

*Sweetie, you are doing this for the village's good. Your using yourself as a sacrifice. You're very a selfless child.* Mom said patting my head. I look at her sadly as she hug me tightly. I don't care if I die, as long as the world is in peace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry!! Very short chapter!!!

1 more chapter to go guys!! This chapter is kinda long because I'm going to mix it with the leaving of Sasuke, Ayumi's fake death, Ayumi's joining of the Akatsuki and the fake funeral of Ayumi.

Next chapter is the epilogue.

Ja Ne~! ❤️❤️❤️