Third person POV

Akumi waited in the front gates. Her arms were crossed as she watched her reformed team going over the basics of the mission.

"We will be moving southwest through the land of rivers, We will avoid any main roads that lead to close too the Hidden Valley Village. We will only use back roads to avoid bandits and Valley shinobi. We will also take a more direct road to Suna when we arrive in the Land of Wind. Due to the invasion, tensions are high so it would be best not to be sneaking around on their Land." Kei stated as he was showing the team a map.

"Is that understood?" He asked and they all nodded.

"Crystal clear Kei-san." The new addition to the  team stated. The man had presented himself as Shunichi, He had dark olive skin, He was a bit tall with dark black hair and broad shoulders. He was about the same age as Himeko and Kei, Possibly a year or two older. 

Himeko on the other hand gave a nod, She had short light brown hair and her face was a bit  round and she had freckles littered on her cheeks. She was also only a little taller than Akumi although not by a lot since she was short (5'1). 

Kei on the other hand had dark black hair, nearly blue and dark brown eyes. He had no defining features on his face and was a bit on the pale side. He was a bit shorter than Shunichi and had broad shoulders and a sturdy build. Although it seemed that he was always serious and never smiled much.

"Then let's head out." Kei stated as Akumi gave a curt nod to show that she had paid attention to the debriefing of the roads they would be traveling.

They all quickly followed their squad leader out of the village falling in formation behind and keeping the same consistent pace.

Akumi was watching her team closely. She noticed how Himeko no longer violently flinched away from her when she looked at her or was near her. Akumi could only hope that the two years they had been apart would have been enough to change her crybaby teammate.

"Akumi I was informed you are a sensor, Make sure you keep a look out." Kei stated as they moved through the trees quickly.

"Yes, Although I am still training to expand my range and strength of my sensing, But I will make sure to keep an eye out." She mumbled as she tried to spread out her chakra to sense around her. 

She couldn't help but grimace slightly, She was an alright sensor. Mostly she was self taught and not the greatest at it, she found it a bit complicated to due while she was running through the trees but she would keep a look out like her captain had ordered.

The trip would take a few days and Akumi couldn't help but feel that this mission would last to long for her liking.

Flash back

___

Akumi couldn't help the annoyance she felt. Himeko was standing off to the side talking with their sensei asking him questions about Genjutsu while he bandaged his arm.

He had gotten hurt because like always clumsy Himeko wasn't able to dodge her enemies attack. She couldn't help but snicker, Himeko was not cut up for the whole Shinobi business.

Sure the girl had the practical skills and could do katas and exercises at home and training. But when it came time to display those skills on the field she hesitated and was much to slow. She also made a lot of mistakes and this time her sensei had to bail the dumb girl out.

Akumi was silently cleaning her equipment from the blood of the enemies she and Kei had killed.

Kei sighed as he placed a hand on Himeko's shoulder. "You'll do better next time Himeko." Kei stated and she gave him a grateful smile. She knew that he wasn't blaming her for their sensei's injuries. 

Akumi glared at the girl from where she was. If the stupid bitch would stop playing dress up and trained a bit harder on her speed and reflexes then maybe their sensei wouldn't be injured and they wouldn't be resting in enemy territory.

"Akumi are you okay? You have been awfully silent." Yori stated as he looked at her with his soft gray eyes and calm smile. "I'm fine sensei." She replied as she slid her kunai back in her pouch and slightly rubbed her thumb over the seal Naruto had embroidered on her kunai pouch, It was a storage seal where she had medical supplies.

She looked away, she was training to be a medic ninja and although she could use the Mystical palm technique it would be a waste to try and heal such a minor wound especially when they were not in a safe place.

"C'mon kid, We have to get going if we are looking to make it back to the fire country today." he stated patting Akumi's head and she snickered in slight annoyance because of his actions.

Himeko watched her sensei and akumi slightly wearily. She didn't trust the red haired girl. She had heard of the rumors about her. A cold blooded murder and she could see that she was correct in thinking that.

The girl didn't even look fazed when she had her first kill while they had been on their first higher ranked mission.

And that scared Himeko, She didn't understand her and it made her weary of the girl and made her want to stay away and she did so. 

 Kei on the other hand, although he was almost always serious he was nicer than Akumi. He wasn't to fond of Akumi either. Unlike Himeko he wasn't afraid of her, he was annoyed at the way she acted. She was his junior by nearly seven years. But that didn't mean Akumi was respectful in any way sort or fashion. 

He felt that Akumi was a snot nosed arrogant brat that did not respect anyone, not even their Sensei.

" Alright, Gather around. Formation B 5. I'll be in the back and Akumi will be setting the pace." Yori stated and they all nodded in acknowledgement .

Himeko grimaced, every time Akumi set the pace she had a hard time keeping up. "Hai, sensei."  They all nodded.

___

They were all setting up for the night. " Shunichi will take first watch, Then Himeko, and finally I will take the last watch, is that understood?" Kei asked as they lit the campfire and Akumi was skinning and seasoning the rabbit.

"Hai, captain." Shunichi smiled and glanced at Akumi. "So how long have you been a ninja?" He asked as he watched her skin the rabbit with ease. Himeko settled nearby watching Shunichi try and make small talk with the red haired girl. Himeko almost felt bad for him, as far as she knew Akumi was arrogant and hated almost everybody.

Akumi hummed slightly. "I've been a shinobi for six years, almost seven." She replied.

"Hmm, so early graduate?" He asked and she nodded. " I saw your match in the Chunin exams, You are pretty good in genjutsu." He stated and she glanced at him. " I know a thing or two, But I do not specialize in it. What about you?" She asked him keeping the conversation going. 

Himeko stared at the girl in confusion and shock, Since when was Akumi approachable and engaged in small talk.

 "I'm more oriented in Taijutsu but I can dish out some mean Genjutsu." He replied as akumi began cooking the rabbit.

"But to be honest I have never seen someone dish out genjutsu like you did. What kind of jutsu did you use to put the shadow clone inside of you? Well that's if you don't mind exchanging techniques." He stated and she hummed slightly. 

"It was a Kekkei Genkai, so you wouldn't be able to replicate it. But I wouldn't mind exchanging jutsu." She stated as she sat between Himeko and Shunichi, she wasn't close to them since they were spaced out a few feet.

At this point even Kei was staring at their red haired teammate, from what he remembered she was usually a stuck up bitch. But he figured she had changed since their time apart. At least now she was a bit more tolerable.

"Hmm, too bad that it is a kekkei genkai. It seems pretty handy." He sighed as they all sat around the campfire.

"So akumi-san, How is your new team?" Himeko spoke up, her voice was soft and she didn't make much eye contact. 

Akumi couldn't help but roll her eyes at Himeko's actions. The girl still irked her but it wasn't as much as before.

"They are pretty good, I'm sure they will make it to chunin soon although two of my new teammates have apprenticeships with the loyal sannin. " She stated with a small smile.

"The Uchiha and Civie?" Shunichi asked and Akumi glanced at him slightly narrowing her eyes. "The Pink haired civilian girl is Sakura and she is Tsunade's apprentice, My brother Uzumaki Naruto is being taught by Jiraiya." Akumi stated as she judged Shunichi's expression when she brought up her brother.

At the mention of the jinchuriki Himeko looked away. She might have gotten over her fear of Akumi but she remembered the Nine Tails attack. 

"Ah, so the Uzumaki br- kid is your brother?" He asked almost letting the moniker of Uzumaki Brat almost slip out, the last thing he wanted to do was start beef with a  teammate in the middle of a mission. 

"Yes, He is my twin brother." She stated her expression hardening as she had picked up his slip of the tongue. 

"Ah, I had no idea." Shunichi stated sheepishly as he looked away from her and stared at the campfire.

Kei cocked a brow as he noticed Akumi had noticed the slip of the tongue and didn't have a violent reaction. He was taken back a bit but he guessed being Hatake Kakashi's student the notorious 'Friend Killer' and war hero had kept her in line.

"The food is done." Akumi stated her voice was a bit colder and she had a slight frown on her face.

___

The next day they were back on the move. Things were still a bit tense between the four of them  but it was a bit better than the beginning of the mission. 

"I sense ninja nearby they are coming from the east region, They must be coming from the Village Hidden in the Valley." Akumi spoke up as she came to a stop on a branch and they all did as well. 

"Do they seem to be trailing us? Also how far are they?" Kei asked as he looked around towards the west to see if he could see them. 

"They are about 5 miles away. But they do seem to be coming towards us." Akumi stated. 

At the moment Konoha was recovering from the invasion and they needed to settle things with Suna, so as a result smaller villages would try to cause more chaos so that there would be more conflicts and then attack them when their villages were weakened. Even larger Villages would do something like that.

"Captain what are your orders?" Himeko asked.

"Shunichi set up traps and genjutsu. Himeko you will also set traps, you are a long range fighter so you and Shunichi will fight at the distance. Akumi you will take the scroll and you will engage in the frontline alongside me. Might as well set up an ambush and get rid of the issue before they decide to make a move." Kei ordered as he spoke softly but used mostly standard Konoha sign language.

They all nodded and began doing as they were told.

Akumi took stock of the weapons she had, she also unsheathed her katana and hid herself and presence. 

They all quietly waited for their enemy to arrive. 

The Hidden Valley shinobi arrived, they hadn't noticed them yet. As the enemy ninja arrived near them they set off the first trap which was explosive tags that they were either thrown back by the explosive or barely managed to dodged. 

Team Kei was quick to move and engage them. Shunichi made a subtle genjutsu that made his team mates appear about a foot further away and slightly to the left making it harder for the enemy to counter attack them.

Akumi was quick to use her katana against the enemy the long blade cutting through the Hidden Valley ninja with ease. Himeko was able to trap her shinobi with ninja wire and knock him out. Shunichi killed his enemy as well.

Kei engaged his enemy in a short Taijustu battle quickly breaking through the Hidden valley kunoichi's defense and slitting her throat with ease.

"Akumi, interrogate the ninja Himeko captured. Shunichi assist me in searching the bodies and disposing of them." Kei stated as he picked up his kunai. 

"Hai. Himeko, Make sure to hold him down for me." Akumi stated as she sheathed her Katana. Himeko grimaced since she hated torturing people.

"I'll make this easy, Tell me what you were after before I cut you up into little pieces." She stated in a cold distant tone. 

He spit at her and snarled. "Die leaf scum." He hissed as he struggled against his restraints.

A smile spread across Akumi's face. "Did you know that as long as your heartbeat is slowed it is harder to bleed out? It gives me the opportunity to torture you for longer periods of time? " She asked as she squatted down beside him and gently stroked his hair.

"Have you ever been skinned alive? Having your raw skin exposed to the elements is quite painful ya know." She grinned and his eyes widened in slight fear. 

____

It only took two hours for her to squeeze the information out of him. Himeko now remembered why she had feared the girl. She did what was told down to the last letter. Kei had ordered her to torture the man and she didn't hold back. Also the way she did torture him and how she blocked her emotions caused her to be weary of the girl.

Her male teammates seemed to not care or hid their emotions very well but they continued almost effortlessly and didn't seem that weary of akumi.

"I've never seen torture like that. Are you part of the torture and interrogation squadron?" Shunichi asked as they were once again on their way to Suna.

"I'm not from the T&I, but I have worked with the intelligence department" Akumi stated with a blank expression.

"I can see why." Shunichi chuckled. "So what career are you planning to specialize in?" Kei asked glancing at the girl. Kei was more of a Front line fighter and worked as a messenger most of the time due to his speed and knack for being successful even when they were being hunted down.

Akumi glanced at Kei in curiosity, this was the first time he spoke to her in a  non degrading manner. "Not sure, Possibly something more in the shadows, I can get in and out of a place easily." She stated cryptically, It was obvious she was talking about assassination and infiltration, she wasn't revealing much in the open especially after they had gotten rid of a tail. 

"Ah, I see." Shunichi nodded as he understood what she meant.

___

A few days later they had arrived in Suna, They were greeted and offered rooms to stay in. Kei stated they would share a room and to make it look like they were eating the food that was offered as to not offend the Suna nin. 

But due to recent events and invasion they only ate food they made and brought. Suna was known for their poisons and Konoha ninja weren't dumb enough to trust Suna after the stunt they pulled.

Political matters were handled by Kei and Himeko since they had more experience in politics due to the amount of times they were messengers amongst villages.

They were there for nearly a week before leaving back to Konoha with Suna's response and they made sure to take different roads incase there were scouts looking for the ninja they had killed before.

The trip back went by with no issues. The team dynamics weren't as tense. Akumi didn't trust them completely but she didn't find her teammates as annoying.

Himeko was still nervous around her but it wasn't as bad nor as annoying. Akumi could also understand the girl, she hadn't been to pleasant to be around when she was younger. 

Kei didn't see her as an equal but the feeling was mutual and he didn't seem to have a stick shoved up his ass anymore. 

But out of all of them she got along with Shunichi the most. He was mature and treated her as an equal which she appreciated.

Akumi was glad she was settling in with her new team. Maybe she was more approachable now or had matured in a way that didn't make everyone avoid her immediately.

They arrived at the Village Gates and were quick to sign in. They quickly went and took the Suna scroll to Tsunade and gave their verbal mission report. They had taken about  3 weeks and 2 days on the mission.

Tsunade listened to Kei give the vocal report. "Thank you Kei, you guys are dismissed. Akumi please stay." She stated and they all bowed and left except for Akumi.

"So what do you think of your new team dynamics?" Tsunade asked. Akumi relaxed a bit.

"It's better than it was a few years ago." Akumi shrugged. Tsunade nodded and leaned back in her chair.

"I've read all of your files. From the orphanage, inoichi's reports and mission reports. Honestly kid, I'm shocked that you aren't permanently in the Psychiatric ward. But I do have to say I admire your mental strength." She stated.

Akumi stared at the Hokage in silence, She was trying to figure out why Tsunade was bringing all of this up.

"Thank you Hokage- sama."She bowed slightly and Tsunade smirked, she knew Akumi noticed she wasn't just saying this for no reason.

"Danzo has been asking to teach you. But to be honest I don't trust the old coon. I have been thinking that you would be best suited in a position where you are not in the spotlight. But if Itachi Uchiha is an example to go by you are still a bit to young. But we can get you started in a easier position" Tsunade stated as she carefully arranged her papers on her desk.

Akumi listened carefully. She knew that Tsunade had activated privacy seals and she could hear the small hints she was giving out.

Danzo would approach her to offer an apprenticeship to her soon, She was to decline and report the event to Tsunade . She was also a possible candidate for Anbu, but she was too young. She would probably be introduced to a Torture and Interrogation Internship. Her Internship would serve as foundation for her Anbu training. Her Genin and Chunin teams would be her cover.

" When can I expect to start?" Akumi asked and Tsunade smirked. "I see you understand, This scroll will be your ticket in." She stated placing a light green scroll with white lines on her desk. Akumi walked up and looked at it while she placed it in her pouch.

" As for the harder part, we will wait till you are at least fifteen." Tsunade stated and Akumi nodded. 

"Also Jiraiya has asked for permission to take your brother in a long term training mission. So I suggest you spend time with him." She stated and Akumi nodded.

"Thank you for the warning." Akumi bowed. " You can go now, there isn't anything else we have to talk about." Tsunade waved the girl away and Akumi smiled slightly.

"Hai, Hokage-sama" She turned to leave as she saw the silence seal drop.

___

Akumi Pov

I sighed, Honestly I wasn't to shocked that Tsunade-sama wanted me to join anbu. My abilities were quite useful in infiltration missions.

"Akumi-chan." I heard a familiar voice and I could feel my face heat up slightly. "Kiba-kun?" I turned to see him standing with Akumaru by a dango stand.

I watched him for a moment as he motioned me to go where he was.

"You just got back from your mission?" He asked as the lady handed him his bag of dango sticks and I gave him a slight nod.

"Yeah, It was a bit long but I am back." I say as I stood beside him.

He nodded as he pulled out a dango stick and took a bite of it.

"Well I'm glad to see you made it back safe." He stated as he held out the dango stick so that I could take a bite from it as well.

I felt my cheeks flush as I glanced up at him. He gave me a grin and I blushed a bit more as he did this.

I pushed a strand of hair back behind my ear as I leaned forward and took a bite from the Dango stick and pulled away. "Mmm it's good." I say as I smiled at the sweet treat.

"KIBAAAA! You BASTARD! Get AWAY from my NEE-CHAN!" I heard a loud yell. My eyes widened as I turned to see an angry Naruto, Sakura was walking behind him and so was Sasuke. Kakashi-sensei was behind the three of them and was looking at Kiba with narrowed eyes.

Naruto stormed up to us, Steam seem to nearly fume from his mouth and nose as he glared at Kiba. 

"What are you're intentions with my sweet and caring Nee-chan?" Naruto glared at him and Kiba put his hands up in defense.

I was taken back, I had never seen Naruto so angry. "I was just sharing dango with Aku-chan." He stated and Naruto nearly foamed in the mouth. "Aku-chan? Since when do you think you are so close to my sister to give her a cutesy nickname?!?" Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Calm down Naruto, Akumi was probably just out on a date with him. No need to get so defensive." Sakura tried to calm him down and Naruto seemed to get angrier and Kakashi sensei's eyes narrowed a bit more as he looked at Kiba.

Naruto stared at Kiba with narrowed eyes and then his eyes widened as he came to a realization of something. " You bastard you are the one that has been sending the flowers." He hissed out.

" Naru-nii calm down, Kiba-kun doesn't mean anything bad about it." I tried to calm my brother down. Naruto could easily be riled up but he didn't get mad as easy, so I wasn't sure how to deal with the situation.

"Kun?" Naruto whispered out as he looked at me with a look of shock. "Kun?" he asked a bit louder and my cheeks flushed, I never used honorifics other than sama or sensei and that was only to superiors. 

"Mah mah, Kiba-KUN I hope you have no ill intentions with my little red student." Kakashi sensei stated as he stretched out the Kun and  gave Kiba a smile that wasn't very reassuring.

"This is a disaster." Sakura face palmed and Sasuke was looking amused and slightly overprotective as well.

"Shit." Kiba gulped.

___

We were at the tea house getting tea and snacks. Naruto was going on about how I shouldn't hang out with boys and how I would not only get the cooties but that they were all heartless bastards that were probably closet perverts and that Kakashi and him would protect me at all costs.

Kakashi was nodding sagely at Naruto's rant repeating key points in Naruto's never ending speech such as 'hes right they do have the cooties' and 'I can guarantee he's a closet pervert' and 'Naruto is right you know'. 

Sasuke was sipping his tea taking all of the commotion in with an amused smile. Cocky bastard, he probably felt that this was Karma for when I have threatened him with bodily harm and when I have carried out the threat.

Sakura looked like she had aged a decade. Just they wait till someone confesses to her, they would probably look like rabid dogs trying to scare them off. 

Personally I had slammed my head on the table and was groaning lowly the entire time. I hadn't even sipped on my tea, To be honest this was beyond embarrassing, because not only had they seen what happened but they were making such a big deal about it.

"How long has Dog breath been trying to talk to you?" Naruto asked and I let out a long sigh. 

"Well we started talking a while back when you left to get Tsunade-sama and we went on a date or two but it wasn't much-" I couldn't even finish because Naruto began stuttering. "d-date?" and with that his eyes rolled back and he passed out.

I slammed my head on the table again and groaned. He was so over dramatic.

__________

Hey guys, sorry for the wait. I had a bit of writers block but I'm over it. I might speed up the book soon but IDK. I feel it is time to start the shippuden part of the series and I am excited! 

I know some of you want Naruto X Sakura, Sasuke X Sakura or Sasuke X Akumi . And I was going to do it (one of these) but I feel that they should all have a more sibling like bond.

So I think that Team Seven will not marry within the team. And here is my reasoning, You don't always marry your best friend or the person your first Boyfriend/Girlfriend, the world is wide and big and filled with many potential love.

Thanks for your support and patience!

I'm also thinking of rewriting the book when I finish, Or write a story that begins in the orphanage and not as genin.

RosyMalik