22

Enjoy reading!

<3

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"And here's your room!" Sakura gave me a blinding smile after she finished lugging all her belongings into the room.

"Thanks Akina." She said shyly, twirling her hair.

"You are my best girlfriend! I'd do anything for you." Her face turned red as she covered her face.

"Where is Naruto?" I asked frowning.

"I'm not sure.."

Just then I saw an army of blonde headed idiots carrying one item in each hand coming up to my house.

"He used his shadow clones to do something smart for once." Sakura giggled.

"Consider me impressed, Naru." Said boy gave me a blinding smile.

"I told you I'm smart Akina chan! But why did you make us move into your house at 8 in the morning?" 

"Because we had training at 6. At 9 we have to go to Training Ground 31." I explained.

He nodded understanding and Sakura showed him his room a bunch of clones following them.

I sat on the sofa, satisfied. After that date with Sasuke I contacted Sakura and Naruto and told them to shift in here the very next day. I yawned.

I need some coffee.

I heard a ruckus from upstairs with a sound of someone being punched and a scream of baka Naruto. I snorted.

"Maa what are my genin doing?" 

I spilled the scalding hot milk on my hand and shrieked in surprise and pain. Kakashi had appeared suddenly in my home. Rushing towards the sink I placed it under cool running tap water.

"S-sensei you are early today." I stammered nervously.

He gave me his closed eye smile and with a fake cheering voice he replied.

"We have training." His voice didn't fool me at all. 

He seemed to be smiling widely under his mask. The way he spoke promised torturous training routines for us something I'm not happy about. His aura screamed sadism and it wasn't the sexual kind.

"B-but I figured you'd come late and-"

"That's no excuse for you to come late."

"Akina chan! What happened? We heard you scream!" Naruto and Sakura came rushing down the stairs and stopped seemingly frozen in place as they eyed their sensei in the Senju compound.

"Oh? Were you three having a slumber party and forgot to invite the rest of the team?" The sarcasm hit me like a ton of bricks.

"No sensei. We were moving in Akina chan's house since she asked us too." Naruto said twiddling with her fingers seemingly unaware of the sarcasm. 

How innocent.

There was an evil glint in Kakashi's eyes as he walked towards them. "You guys get caught by me and I'll put you through rigorous training. If I don't catch you all by 12 you won't suffer and I'll treat you guys to lunch."

Sakura opened her mouth and screeched. "Everyone run!"

We didn't have to be told twice. I switched off the tap and touched the wood on the floor. The Senju compound was completely made out of wood. 

Lucky me.

Sakura threw a gas chamber at Kakashi and it exploded with a horrible smelling gas as she and Naruto escaped through the window.

I reached a tree near Sasuke's house and burst into his room, rushing through the front door.

"Sasu-" I froze as I saw Kakashi in front of me already pointing a kunai at him. Sasuke snarled. He was still in his night suit and his hair was rumpled.

"What the hell is going on?!"

In the next second two things happened. 

Kakashi came at me and I punched him. He disappeared in smoke. 

Sasuke stared wide eyed at my disheveled appearance. 

"We have to escape sensei or he'll put us through hell. Hurry up we don't have time."

Nodding he quickly entered the bathroom to change his clothes. I concentrated on the chakra around me. There were multiple chakra signatures surrounding us. Assuming it to be sensei's bunshins I tapped my foot thinking of a way out. 

Sasuke came out and looked at me. 

"Sensei has covered us. Now?"

"Its risky but it might work." I bit my lip.

"I'm not going through his hellish training again. Do it." I held his hand and touched the wood on his floor. Gathering chakra to encase the both of us we escaped using my technique just as the door to his room burst open.

I traveled along with Sasuke to the Forest of Death. 

Kakashi would never find us here. He'd be predicting us to go anywhere but here.

Sasuke stared at me wide eyed. "What was that technique?"

I gave him a smirk. "Tree transportation. I can get inside a plant or a tree and travel through acres of grounds in a few minutes without using much chakra."

"I know that but how did you take me?"

I shrugged. "Instincts. That or we could've faced off against sensei."

He gave me a glare. "What did you and the dobe do?" I explained what happened.

"How much time is left?"

"Three hours. We have to remain hidden till then." He sat next to me on the tree.

I heard a slithering voice and I turned to Sasuke. He was frowning.

"A snake."

"Let's beat his ass."

I turned around to see a snake in front of me with white skin and ink drops?

"Is it made out of ink?" I asked disbelievingly.

"Hn. It seems so."

Don't tell me-

A pale boy stepped out from behind the trees with a fake smile. 

"Hello. I am Sai."

My eyes widened.

ROOT?

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I am here because Danzo sama asked me to escort you."

"Danzo sama?"

Sai nodded. "Please come with me willingly or I will have to force you both."

Suddenly my senses heightened and I could feel the number of high level shinobi around me. They had surpressed their chakra to make it feel like small animals.

Tch. I don't like this.

"Hn. What does he want?"

Sai gave us a small smile. "To recruit you both and give you power."

That is the fakest smile I've ever seen.

Sasuke swept his gaze around him, calculating his moves. "Fine."

"What?" I asked Sasuke, eyes wide.

"I don't like it but at least we can hide from sensei. Also I'm kinda interested."

I frowned. I saved him from Orochimaru but, would he join ROOT instead for the lust of power?

Well one thing is for sure. He isn't going alone.

"Take us to him." I said. I felt myself being blindfolded.

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

This is bad. He targeted you exactly when you were vulnerable and away from Kakashi. Kakashi will think you guys are hiding and no one will look for you. 

Cunning old bastard.

I willed Yume to shut up as she became paranoid.

I glared at the old man in front of me with bandages covering his body. 

Danzo fucking Shimura.

"What the hell do you want?" Sasuke asked.

His face tightened at the lack of respect and I smirked. Leave it to Sasuke to piss people off.

"Sasuke Uchiha and Akina Senju Uchiha. You both are extremely powerful, no doubt. I am the founder of Anbu's subdivision called ROOT. Here we train young children such as yourselves to become stronger and faster to eliminate the threats against Konoha."

"And why are you telling us this?" Sasuke asked.

To join anbu fucking root loser. What else?

Danzo ignored his question. "I heard about your ambition. It is to kill Itachi, yes?"

He turned to me. "And your aim, Akina san is to kill whoever killed your family. In other words, you both want revenge against the murderer of your families, am I correct?"

Sasuke's eyes glinted. Danzo had caught his interest. If I didn't know better, I would've fallen for his trap too. I nodded stiffly. 

He smirked. "Itachi Uchiha is a threat to Konohagakure. I assume Sasuke san would like to kill that man for the crimes he committed?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes."

"Akina san, you want revenge on the other man do you not?" 

"No one knows who he is. Its futile."

"Ah. But seeing as this man has attacked you twice shows that he is fixated on battling you soon. You witnessed his power first hand and know how weak you are in comparison do you not?"

My knuckles turned white from closing my hand in a fist too hard. My parents were clearly a sensitive topic and he knew how weak I felt. 

I felt personally attacked. After seeing me silent he began speaking again. 

"I thought so. So I have decided to offer you both a choice. Join anbu root and become stronger, strong enough to defeat them. That way, you feel satisfied and also stay loyal to Konoha. All I ask is for you to go on assassination missions and protect Konoha. But there will be conditions."

"Conditions?"

"Yes. You will not tell anyone about joining ROOT for it is a very secretive organization. You might be distanced from your genin team. We will send you on missions in pairs of two or maybe more." 

That old crusty ass bucket of fuck! Punch him please!

"Does the Hokage know about this?" I questioned. He turned to look into my eyes, slightly glaring at me.

"He is aware of the situation, yes."

I don't know if he's lying or not..

"I need some time to think." Sasuke suddenly said.

Danzo slightly brightened and he turned to me for my answer. "No."

He looked taken aback. "What?"

"I can become strong under the tutelage of Yamato senpai and Kakashi sensei. Hokage sama will train me if he has to, since he might be familiar with wood style because of Hashirama sama. I have no use for it."

His cold eyes turned calculating. "Team 7 am I right?"

My blood turned cold. "Yes."

"And you are quite close to Sarutobi right?"

I nodded again.

"I see. Sasuke san I will await your answer. I give you a week's time. Please do not disclose this information to everyone. Its for the elite only."

Elite my ass. You just want to stroke our ego. Not gonna work.

Next to me Sasuke had a proud smirk on his face. I mentally face palmed.

He had a lot to learn if he can get manipulated this easy.

You would've fallen for this trap if you didn't know. Don't call him naive.

... shut up Yume. Wait you can hear my thoughts?!!

My eyes widened slightly.

Um yeah? It was fun seeing you talk to yourself so I didn't say shit.

Fuck off.

Gladly.

"Sai, show them the way out."

They blindfolded the both of us once more and lead us the way out before leaving us in the Forest of Death.

I removed the blindfold to see all of them gone. Sasuke stared at me questioningly. 

I sighed. "I don't trust him."

"Why?"

I shrugged. "Instincts. Its just unexplainable."

Why don't you tell him?

Have to talk to Itachi first. Its all moving way too fast. Honestly I didn't expect this.

No shit sherlock. All you need to do is tag along with Jiraiya and Naruto to visit Tsunade. Hopefully he'll allow it.

I don't care about Jiraiya allowing me or not. I'll run out if I have to.

"You think its time to go back?" I asked. 

"One hour left." Our stomach grumbled. 

"I'm hungry. Lets eat!" I pulled on Sasuke's arm.

"Are you crazy?! We'd get caught by se-"

"Too late, pups. We found you." 

Sasuke and I slowly turned around to see Kakashi crouched on a tree behind us with Pakkun. 

"Sorry Sasuke. I kinda forgot he can track us using ninken."

"I'm not going through that hellish training again! I'll fight him if I have to." Sasuke growled as he activated his sharingan.

Kakashi smiled. "Maa won't you join your teammates? We are all waiting for you."

"What did you do to them?" I asked taking a step backwards, horrified.

He chuckled. "Why don't you come and see? My clone is supervising their obstacle course. Its quite fun."

Sasuke grabbed my hand. "I want to fight him." He whispered.

"I have less chakra." I hissed.

"Use your pendant for the chakra boost."

Just then Sasuke and I separated from each other dodging a kunai thrown at us. Kakashi created a clone and sent it towards Sasuke as he came at me. 

We both tried getting past Kakashi but he pressured us into going away from each other.

"Akina run!"

He didn't have to tell me twice. I grabbed the wood and transported myself out of there. 

Sorry Sasuke.

What a concerned girlfriend. Honestly, goals.

Have you heard the phrase self before others?

I'm pretty sure its others before se-

Kakashi's training is hellish especially for me. He hates me because of all the perverted jokes.

I panted as I laid outside a random tree in Konoha. The civilians shot me odd looks.

Looking around I saw no one of importance. 

"Maybe some food will be nice." I hummed and made my way to Ichiraku's.

Entering I saw an old man with white hair. My good mood evaporated. 

He was so rude when I asked for his help and for some reason it made me sad. I took the seat as far away from him as possible.

"Teuchi san! One bowl of miso ramen please." I ordered.

Teuchi shot me a smile and Ayame started making my food. 

Jiraiya got up and sat next to me. I stiffened.

"Akina right?"

"I'm in no mood for your pleasantries. Just don't talk."

"How did it go with the summons?" He ignored me.

"None of your bloody business." I snapped fed up with him. 

He chuckled. "You have a fiery temper."

"Why the hell can't you shut up?"

He shrugged. "I heard about the attack and came as fast as I could. I need someone to inform me about what happened."

"So if I tell you, will you shut up?" He nodded.

"Fine. Orochimaru killed the Kazekage and manipulated the Suna shinobi to attack along with Sound. Fortunately, we were prepared because of an anonymous tip. Hokage sama is in the hospital. There were few causalities."

"Thank you. Where is Naruto anyways?"

I snorted. "In hell. Kakashi sensei is training him along with my other three team mates. I escaped and he is looking for me."

"Shouldn't you be somewhere else then?"

"I'm hungry. That and I don't care anymore. Its almost time for him to give up. Also shut up."

He sighed. "Okay I admit I deserve all this attitude."

I gasped loudly. "You finally get it!"

"Look I wasn't in the best of the moods that day. So I'd like to apologize for my behavior." It felt like he was hiding something but what?

Also his apology seems sincere enough.

"Sorry doesn't make things easier. I don't forgive you that easy." I smiled as the ramen was placed in front of me. Ayame placed another bowl in front of Jiraiya.

With an itadakimasu I began eating my brunch. 

"You really hold onto grudges don't you?"

I shrugged. "Can't help it. When someone I like or admire hurts me, I feel incredibly sad which turns into strong dislike." 

"So you strongly dislike me?"

"You apologized sincerely. So now I just dislike you."

"Hmm. Good enough. Sensei seems to trust you."

A genuine smile lit up on my face. 

I trust you.

These words held so much of meaning and value. Trust is so very valuable and rare in the shinobi world. When you find it, don't ever let it go.

I trusted only a handful of people. My team, my parents and Hiruzen were the only ones. Sure, I acted friendly with others but that doesn't mean I trust them.

Jiraiya shot me a smile. "The elders are considering to make me Hokage but sensei denied and said Tsunade would be better. I must say, I feel insulted but he's right."

"Tsunade... onee sama will be better. When did you even talk to them?" I said slightly flushing. I didn't know what to address her as.

Tsunade seemed to informal. Tsunade sama seemed way to serious. Onee chan meant we were close which we weren't and onee san was too ordinary.

He chuckled. "Onee sama? This morning. Anyways, I have to go and search for her so that she can return to become Hokage. Interested in coming?"

I finished my ramen and looked at him. 

"If I knew you were planning to set out to look for her I would've come without you asking. I'm in."

"Great! Now then I have to ask Naruto. We'll set out soon."

"Cool. Pay for me will ya?" With that I ran out as Jiraiya yelled out after me.

Yume?

Yeah?

Its clear he wants me to come because Tsunade will want to come back more.

I don't know about that.. I mean I think he wants to bond with you.

Highly unlikely. But that means...

I know! My fangirl heart can't take it. Itachi Uchiha here we come! Also he is 18 now. He must be looking soooo damn fine. Papi is waiting for us.

I giggled like a lunatic as people shot me odd looks.

Shut up Yume.

I looked at my watch. Its now a minute to twelve. 

I lay down under the shade of a tree as I counted down.

20 seconds...

10 seconds...

3..

2..

1..

"AKINA!" I heard Sakura's frantic voice. Following her was my team except Naruto was no where to be seen. I got up and smirked. 

"I won! Kakashi sensei you have to treat me to- what's wrong?" Looking at their faces I felt an ominous feeling overcome me.

 Sakura and Sasuke looked worn out but their faces looked troubled. Sakura had tears in her eyes as she shook her head. Kakashi sighed.

"I'm sorry Akina.."

"About what? Did something happen to Naruto?" I asked feeling scared. I didn't know what's happening and it scared me.

There was a pregnant pause.

"Tell me!" 

"The Third Hokage is dead. He died an hour ago. I know how close you and Naruto were to him and..." Kakashi's voice died out as my mind started to process what he said.

Hiruzen dead? That's not possible.

I talked to him yesterday and Jiraiya met with him today.

Glancing at their faces I shook my head.

"No. No stop lying guys. Sensei its a very cruel trick to play! He's not dead!" I shouted at them furiously. 

How dare they lie to me? Why are they lying in the first place?

"I'm terribly sorry Akina. I know how it feels." Sakura gave me a hug and I pushed her away.

"Stay the fuck away! Tell me the the fucking truth!" I shrieked at them as tears pooled up in my eyes.

Sakura took a few step backs and Sasuke held my hands. 

"He's dead. Its from old age."

"No... I- I saw him y-yesterday. He's f-fine."

He stayed silent as I shook my head.

"Its a genjutsu isn't it?! That masked man is doing it again. Stop it please!" I dispelled my  chakra in large waves as agony took over me.

"She's losing control of her emotions. She'll lash out! Stay away." I heard Kakashi say.

Who is lashing out? Yume what's going on?

There was no answer as a deep sense of dread filled me to the brim. I fell onto my knees as I stared at the ground. Tears refused to leave my eyes.

I felt the ground shake and all senses left me. As if from a distance I heard people calling my name and I heard crashes as trees fell down.

Was there another attack?

I couldn't calm myself down. My emotions were going crazy. 

Why am I getting so worked up over a prank? 

I felt a wave of chakra around me. I stood up from the ground.

There was a blue sphere of chakra swirling around me. 

Who is doing this?

I saw all the trees had fallen down. My teammates were screaming something from a distance but for some reason I couldn't hear them.

Kakashi had his sharingan uncovered and Sasuke had it activated as they sent kunai at me. They bounced off the chakra field. 

Then it struck me completely. Hiruzen was dead. 

They would never play such a prank on me.

His death started setting in and tears finally made their way down.

"No no no no.." I chanted no like a mantra, hoping it wasn't true.

The chakra around me whirled at a faster rate and I heard someone scream.

It was a scream filled with agony and pain. It was filled with sadness and despair as if their loved one had been snatched away from them. The sound seemed vaguely familiar.

Finally the sphere of chakra stopped swirling around me and I dropped back on the ground completely exhausted for some reason.

The person was still screaming. It was filled with heart break. I closed my eyes hoping it'd all go away. I felt someone pick me up and through my blurry eyes I saw Kakashi.

My throat felt worn out.

Gazing around I saw the trees had been uprooted and all the ground at a 5 meter radius had been flattened, all the grass gone.

It was later I realized that all the destruction was done by me. 

Hey! 

I feel like an update monster. 

3 times is way too much in two days!

Well my school is starting in another week or so and because of that I won't be able to update as much. Enjoy while you can!

I felt depressed while writing this shit.

Expect Itachi to make an appearance on the 24th chapter!

Q: Do you want me to write a filler episode for y'all? Like maybe Team 7 trying to uncover Kakashi's mask or something?

Lemme know!

Btw.. Akina's blue ball of chakra.. Seems familiar to you guys?

Tell me your theories! I'm pretty sure half of you already know what's going on.

Love y'all!

Q: How old are my readers? Im curious..

I'm 16! 

Also please PM me coz im sooo freakin bored. I honestly have nothing better to do in life. 

Don't forget to comment, vote and follow!!