"Long time no see, my cute little genins!"

Yuito sent his sensei a flat look, while Ryota pouted childishly at the greeting, crossing his arms.

"Cute? I'm a ninja, I'm not cute!"

"Aiko-sensei, you were gone for just a week. It isn't that long, I didn't even feel it," Ara commented, "So, what's the mission?"

"We have escort two of our medic nins to Sunagakure. It won't be that hard."

"Why going there?"

"To learn more from each other, and also to deliver some rare herbs for the Sunagakure hospital. They couldn't grow it themselves in their village, and every once in a while Konoha would send the best we have, including the rare ones, as a sign of our alliance," Aiko explained, earning a frown from Yuito.

"Those aren't actually the village's job, right? As Suna's personal meds supplier?"

"No, we didn't have to do it, but there's a thing called being kind, Yuito-kun," Aiko grinned, "Is there anything that troubles you?"

"If the Hokage wants to be kind, why won't he just do it himself?"

"Are you upset about leaving the village?"

"OOOHH!! Yuito's scared, well, that's surprising!" Ryota exclaimed, grinning. The blond growled, clenching his fists as he glared at the brunet.

"Unlike you, Ryota, I still have someone to worry about," he retorted, "Let's just get this over with."

Ara sent Aiko a doubtful look, but the woman only shook her head and made her way towards the gates. She waved at the two awaiting medics, a black-haired man and a blonde woman, who recognized her just as quickly.

"Aiko! So your team will be our escort?"

The brunette chuckled, "Of course, I don't trust anyone else." She turned to her students, "Introduce yourself, kids."

"My name's Ryota, and the grumpy head is Yuito."

"I'm Ara, hope we can get along."

"Yumi, and this is my co-worker Kazuo. If there's anything we can do, just say so!" The woman grinned, while her friend Kazuo only nodded his head in greeting. They talked to the guards for a little while before the group finally decided to leave.

"Alright, now off we go!" Aiko announced, as cheerful as always, as she led the genins out of the village. Behind her was Yumi, and Ryota walked right by her side, talking about his dream and asking for 'guidance'. Yuito was behind him, still grumbling under his breath. And Ara was far at the back, clearly not used to travelling in groups after 2 years of going solo.

"It has been a while, Kyūra." Kazuo had suddenly taken his place beside her, his voice hardly audible.

Ara froze at the sound of her Anbu nickname, but soon she dropped her guard and sighed. "... I thought you hate me, Kō-san."

"I did," he admitted, "I loathed you, but that was two years ago. My judgment was clouded by the death of my sister." He was still as formal as always, Ara noted, "I realized that what happened wasn't your fault. You're just the prison, a warden; not the locked-up criminal. Forgive my rude behaviour."

"Apology accepted," she kindly replied, "Nice name, by the way."

"You don't even know my last name. But thank you, anyway," he gave her a faint smile, "What am I supposed to call you now?"

"Ara is enough. And you're not a medic nin, did you quit Anbu?

"Not really. It's to keep an eye on you." Kazuo sighed, "The Kazekage asked for your assistance in taking care of the One-Tail."

"What happened?"

"A failed assassination attempt on the jinchūriki, which left him a bit... unstable. I'm here to make sure that nothing happens to your team."

"I'm pretty sure I can do it myself, you don't need to worry."

"No matter what happens, you are not allowed to drop your genin disguise in front of your teammates. Hokage-sama's orders."

Ara looked at the man in scepticism, "Even if their life is in danger?"

"It will be my responsibility."

Ara finally gave up and decided to drop the topic, knowing there's nothing she could do to change Kazuo's mind. "What about your Anbu team?"

"Kakashi-taichou and Yūgao-san hasn't returned, Tenzo is on his own solo mission, while Sugaru has joined Root."

"Root, huh?" Ara flinched at the resurfacing memory, "That organization is dangerous."

"He had been acting strange, especially towards Itachi-kun."

"Do you know where he is? Itachi, I mean?"

Kazuo shook his head slightly, "I heard that-..."

"Kazuo! Ara! Hurry up!" Aiko yelled, "You're slowing us down. Would you rather cross the desert at night?"

"Calm down, woman. I guess you're still as loud as ever..." Kazuo commented, shaking his head disapprovingly.

Ara only hummed in agreement, before the two chased after their group.

*/*\*/*\*

"Are you kidding me?!"

Aiko shook her head, keeping her calm smile despite Yuito's hateful gaze towards her. "I'm not. Unless you can afford another room for yourself, then the three of you will have to share a room."

Ryota sneaked a hopeful glance towards Ara, who stayed impassive upon hearing the news, petting Yūsha's head while she waited until everything was sorted out.

"We'll be staying here for just a night, right?"

Aiko shrugged, hiding her smirk, "Three days at most. We'll speak to the Kazekage in the morning, then go to the hospital, probably more meetings before going home. Anything wrong?"

"... No."

"Well then, here's your key!" The brunette grinned, placing a small silver key on the blond's hand before she ruffled his hair and turned to her remaining students, "There'only two single beds inside, so you'll have to share. My room will be across yours. I won't be back until late, there are things I need to do. Take care of yourselves, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Ara only nodded in silence, and Aiko frowned at this, pinching her cheek. "You'd better behave, young lady. I know how crazy you can get, don't give me more stuff to report to the Hokage. If anything happens, I'll blame you."

"That's just the opposite of what Kō-san told me..."

"I know nothing of that, and you have to address him properly. See you tomorrow, kids!" As always, Aiko poofed away, leaving the three genins with themselves.

Yuito was the first to move, turning around and began to walk towards the stairs. "She may be a sensei, but she doesn't act like one," he growled in annoyance.

Hearing this, Ryota rushed to grab his shoulder, "Take that back, Yuito. She's a good sensei, don't you speak like that about her."

"Get your hand off me." Yuito pushed the brunet away, and unlocked the door of their inn's room, "If Aiko is really a good sensei, she wouldn't be leaving us for ourselves like this. She always disappears without any explanation, how am I supposed to trust her?"

"She's a good person, can't you see that?"

"A good person? It's not enough," Yuito retorted, "If being good means leaving my family to save others, I'd rather be evil. If being good means having faith in everyone around me, I'd rather be evil. If being good means accepting even monsters in my team, I'd rather be evil."

"In the end, it's just about who survives and who doesn't. Being good won't save your life, it will be the death of you."

"What are you trying to say, you self-centered jerk?!"

"Stop trying to play hero. It's disgusting."

Ryota was about to attack Yuito, but Ara caught his fist and stopped him. "... Just drop it, Ryota."

"But he-..."

"I know you're angry, but you can't change the way people think. We're currently not in Konoha, and sensei isn't here, so please don't fight. It won't end well."

"Now a peacemaker, aren't you, freak?"

"Enough with the provocations," Ryota mumbled, "You can take that bed. Ara and I will figure something out."

Yuito scoffed, throwing his bag onto the bed near the corner of the room. Pulling out his change of clothes, he went towards the bathroom before slamming the door shut, and the lock could be heard from inside.

"...I'm starting to hate that guy..." Ryota growled, but Ara only shook her head, gently closing the room's door and pulled out the key.

"Yuito-kun is still our teammate. I know he's selfish, but is there anything we can do?"

Ryota frowned, "You're too kind."

Ara seemed a bit taken aback, but soon she regained her composure, "I wish I could agree with you." She took her spot on the small couch, "You can have the bed, I'll sleep here."

"No way. You're a girl, I'll take the couch."

"Yuito will make a fuss. And I prefer staying here, the bed is farther from the door. I feel a bit... insecure."

"... Are you sure?"

"Positive."

*/*\*/*\*

The last time Kushina felt this worried, it was years ago, during the time when Danzo kidnapped Ara. When someone's life was in danger.

And now? She has no clue, but her guts told her something bad is going to happen. But what is it? Kakashi is definitely alright, so is Minato. Ara's already a jounin in 3 villages' standards, she's on a mission with her team; and Kushina knows her sensei, Aiko, personally. Nothing terrible would happen.

Right?

A soft sigh escaped from her lips, and she walked out of the store. Holding the bags of groceries in her hands, she began to make her way to her house.

"Auntie Kushina!" A voice called out, and the redhead couldn't help but smile. It was Sasuke, now standing in front of her. "Let me carry those!"

"You sure?"

The ravenette nodded, and Kushina handed him one of the bags, before she continued walking with him by his side. "Sasuke, you usually play with Naruto, right? Where is he?"

"Uh..."

"Just tell me, dattebane."

"... Detention. He fought with another kid in our class, and now both of them are being lectured by Iruka-sensei."

"I see." Kushina let out a huff, "He didn't start the fight, right?"

Sasuke shook his head, and Kushina's grin returned, "Well, I'm sure he must have had a valid reason! I'll ask him once he got home. Thanks for telling me, Sasuke-kun."

"You're welcome, Auntie." Sasuke ran ahead and pulled out a set of keys. He unlocked the door and held it open for the redhead to walk in, before closing it behind him and set the groceries on the kitchen table.

"Where did you get the keys?"

"Kaa-san gave it to me. She said that if anything bad happens, I should go to you. Is it okay?"

Kushina frowned. If anything bad happens? Like what? How bad is it that Mikoto would suggest her son to find safety at her place? Not any other clan members, or even the Hokage?

She forced herself to smile. "... Of course."

*/*\*/*\*

Ara was woken up from her sleep when she felt a wave of sand brushed lightly against her fingers. She sat up, to see that the sand was indeed there, covering the floor.

"Gaara? Is that you?"

No reaction.

"... Shukaku?" This time, she released a little bit of Kurama's chakra, and the sand quickly retracted back, out of the window. Just as they disappeared, someone teleported into the room. A black-haired man in an Anbu gear, who gave her a slight nod in greeting.

"The Kazekage asked for your presence."

Ara rose from her seat, "Is it about the One-Tail, Kō-san?"

"Yes. There's not much I can say now, you need to see it yourself. Will you be able to finish the problem before sunrise?"

Ara glanced at the clock before she nodded her head. "I think it's possible. What about my teammates?"

"I'll make sure they know nothing about this." She sent him a doubtful look, which he replied with a shrug. "Sound barriers, genjutsu, you know the drill. Aiko is taking care of the wounded ones, along with Yumi. You just have to go to the Kazekage's office now."

"Okay." She grabbed her axe and motioned Yūsha to follow her, "Thank you, Kō-san. I'll be off now."

"Good luck."

*/*\*/*\*

It's short, more like a filler, but I really need a smooth transition before the real fun starts. Bear with me for a while longer.

And I need your opinion:

I think one of the few events we haven't have here is a war. Not that big, just between Konoha and one other village (preferably Kiri). It's a good way to kill more people and cause trauma, leading to a better character development. What do you think? I haven't found a good way to start it, so if you all have any ideas, message me. It will be a great help.

On another note, I bet you guys hate Yuito even more now. Just a reminder, he should be the least of your concern. Danzo is still here. And also, Kō will become an important character in this story.

Vote, Comment, stay with me! See you later!