^-^ Ello! Once again I am sooooo happy to see everyone enjoys TPC so far~ I wanted to let you all know however, I do not think I will make this book go up to the war... If you want me to, then I guess I might make a separate book for the war but yeah, no need to worry, it's just a thought ^-^"

To the side is Akisha and Hinata, looks like they just woke up, kind of like me -_-  *not a morning person*

Also, last but not least, you've probably noticed the cover change along with KOBEP! Well MisakiofKonoha offered to make me the cover TPC to which I gratefully accepted! Or flipped out going on about how awesome that's be ^.^" Much thanks again to her! KOBEP's cover was made by my awesome friend WolfQueenN.  I believe they both make covers, go check them out!

***Akisha's POV***

I looked to Sakura confused, not able to comprehend this information. "Wha-What do you mean she's bringing Gaara back? How?" My tune held a light amount of hope, I was still eager for anything that could make Gaara's sea green eyes open up again. "Chiyo-sama has devised a jutsu that only she can preform. This is that jutsu." Sakura responded, biting her lip giving me the clue that this would be a difficult or dangerous jutsu to use. "Yes but it seems to be worthless right now! I don't have enough chakra!!" Came the old, stressed voice of Chiyo. 

Naruto immediately dropped to her side, placing his hands above hers. "Use mine! You can do that, right Granny!?" Chiyo seemed to think a bit before giving a tiny nod and soon her hands with Naruto's glowed. "In this world of ninja made by many foolish old people, I'm glad to see someone like yourself has appeared." Chiyo's voice was serious but a lighter tune past by, like someone with many regrets now fixed them, like they finally did something to be proud of. "My past... Is full of mistake after mistake, but now in my very last moments, it looks like I'll finally set things right. Suna and Konoha, the future, starting now, will surely be different from when I lived." 

My mind made the connection as Chiyo continued talking like it was her last... Well, I suppose it would be her last. Her life was being traded in for Gaara's life. That could be the only way she'd be able to bring some back from the dead. 

"Uzumaki, you have a great gift that I know will help shape the future... After you become a Hokage like no other before you that is. And you, Sakura, instead of risking your life for an old bag like myself." Chiyo took a second to chuckle. "You need to protect those most important to you... I believe you can even surpass your master." Chiyo's voice grew weaker with each pasting second. "And lastly Akisha, do not think I forgot you like so many do." Chiyo chuckled again and had it not have been the last time I'd hear her chuckle I would have sweat dropped or frowned. "You have a strong spirit as long as you do not doubt yourself. Being forgotten is not bad, rather it's a perfect chance to strike the enemy and make yourself known from the shadows." 

I nodded with no words to speak, feeling sadness within myself. I wouldn't cry, this is a noble death. And, she has lived her life. "Oh, and Naruto, please, help Gaara then, for me." Chiyo's eyes seemed to drop close as she stopped her jutsu and moved off to rest, although I knew it would be an ever lasting rest.

Naruto looked from Chiyo back to Gaara. "Give him time, Naruto.." Sakura whispered.

Time seemed to past and with that time, Kankuro and Temari appeared, and their Sensei, and of course the fangirls that always surrounded Gaara, and faithful ninjas. Really, all of Suna came.

Everyone was silent, eyes on Gaara when slowly his bright eyes opened and he lifted himself up to a sitting position. "Gaara!" Naruto cheered, happiness lighting up his face. "N-naruto?" Gaara asked before looking around in shock, his eyes seeing everyone here. Naruto chuckled at the surprise on his face. "Everyone came running to save you! You really worried us." Kankuro and Temari stepped over, Kankuro looking much better than when we last saw him. "Yeah that's for sure, you're a little brother I always have to worry about!" Kankuro said with a teasing grin.

Temari whacked him lightly. "Gaara's still Kazekage idiot!" Kankuro grabbed his head with a pout. Temari leaned down to Gaara. "How are you feeling?" Her voice was shaky, showing she was suppressing her urge to most likely cry. Gaara didn't answer but instead tried to stand. He trembled in this action, making Temari rest her hands on him. "Don't! You're not back at full heath yet."

A random ninja in the crowd sniffed loudly. "This is great... I was so worried Gaara-sama might actually die..." In a flash the poor ninja was surrounded by fangirls. "NO WAY GAARA-SAMA WOULD DIE THAT EASILY!!" They screamed throwing punches at him. I flinched, looking at the poor ninja being pummeled. "Worse than the fangirls back in Konoha." I mumbled to myself, inching away from the scene before anything could happen to me.

"Oh right, I guess I'm still just a Genin... Without any fangirls..." A sulking Naruto murmured staring at the fangirls. Kankuro patted him on his back. "Eh, girls will always be weak at the knees for the cool silent type." Naruto crossed his arms. "No kidding."  "Really? Is that so?" I asked with an eye brow raised and a light smirk. Kankuro's and Naruto's eyes widen, forgetting that I was standing right by them. "Uhh!... Hey, wait! What happened to your arms!?" Kankuro pointed at me, changing topic. "Uhh... The fake one was blown off and my other was kind of... Snapped? Broken? I don't know yet..." I gave a light chuckle, wanting to scratch my neck or head but my arm was throbbing in pain as my adrenalin wore off.

Kankuro gave me a plain stare along with Naruto when the cheers for Gaara caught his ear. He glanced back to Gaara, then us, a little grin hanging off his lips. "By the way, thanks." Naruto shook his head and pointed. "Nah thank Granny!" I followed his direction to see Sakura holding Chiyo and Chiyo's brother looking down with sad eyes. "She's past out but I'm sure she'll be up in no time-"  "Naruto, Chiyo gave her life to bring Gaara back.” My voice came as a light whisper, breaking the news of her death lightly for him. Naruto looked shocked, his mouth hung open for a few seconds quietly until words poured out. "What do are talking- What do you mean!?"  "The jutsu she used was Ninjutsu; Tensei Ninjustu to be exact."

Chiyo's brother laughed, gaining attention from us. "I keep expecting her to pop awake 'I'M PLAYING DEAD'  .....But that peaceful expression she wears, it fits her well." Sakura looked to be fighting back tears, supposedly becoming very close to Chiyo in their time together. "It does," she agreed with those tiny words. Slowly and steady Gaara brought himself fully up and walked out infront of Chiyo. "...Everyone please bow your heads in silence for Chiyo-sama." And down everyone's head went including mine.

A couple of minutes pasted when talking arose again. "Akisha, your arms?" Came Neji's voice, the rest of team Gai with him and confusion on their faces. Tenten titled her head at my arms. "Yeah.. I don't think it's normal to be missing an arm and have one all twisted like that." I shrugged, trying to escape from the topic nonchalantly. "I can fix the missing one with a brand new arm, maybe I'll make it metal this time, paint it over my skin tone, puppet building really is a nice hobby, you all should look into it, Neji you might find it quite relaxing-"

Sakura got up leaving Chiyo in the hands of her brother and interrupted my pitiful ramblings. "Oh yeah, I should fix that!" She ran over making my eyes open in fear. "N-NO! I'LL BE FINE!" I slightly hid myself behind Gaara making fangirls glare. Sakura face palmed at my behavior like a mother would to her child refusing medicine. "Are you really scared of me healing your broken arm?" I took a deep breath leaving Gaara and meeting Sakura.

"Sakura... Listen, it's not you, it's me." An vein throbbed in anger on her forehead, making it seem larger than ever. "I KNOW THAT!" I chuckled with a closed eye smile. "Great!" And then I ran.

Or at least tried, until Sakura grabbed my hood of the hoodie in her fist. "Neji keep her still while I heal her." She ordered, voice going serious yet still with annoyance hinted in tone.

Neji nodded and neared me. I stepped back, breaking free of Sakura's grip. "WHOA! NEJI! I RECALL A WHILE BACK YOU WANTING TO OWE ME! That can be paid back now if-" I was cut off as Neji tripped me to the ground carefully and holding me there. "It was a life debt for the retrieval mission if I remember correctly, therefore this only pays some of it off, plus it would be bad of me to let you carry on with a broken arm. So... Sorry?" His apology at the end sounded more like a question added in with his correct information of his explaining.

I looked over to Tenten and Lee, begging them with my eyes. "T-tenten? L-ee?'' I asked looking at them with hope. Tenten whistled looking away while Lee swooned over Sakura being near him, ignoring me fully. A dull sigh left my mouth. Sakura kneeled by me. "Don't worry this won't hurt for too long." "That's a lie isn't it?" My tone full of worry. Sakura seemed to think for a bit. "Uh.. Just don't move."

"I can't move, Neji's being a traitorous b-ARGHHH! SHIT! AH!" My mumbling about Neji was cut off as pain fill me. I could feel the bones reconnecting and muscles that wore torn being rebuilt, using Sakura's chakra as the fuel to so. I silenced my screams of pain by biting into my lip, keeping my mouth clamped shut. 

After several minutes that felt like forever Sakura wiped her forehead of sweat and stood. "There! It'll be a little sore but it's good as new!" "Ugh." I replied lifting my ''brand new'' arm to my face. I touched my lip gingerly. "Ow, I bit my lip too hard." I brought my hand back down, seeing the few drops of blood on my fingers. The warmth from the tiny drops vanished when I wiped it away on my skirt, continuing to flex the muscles of my arm. No pain was felt, like it had never happened. "Thanks Sakura." I said with an approving look of my arm. "You did good!" Sakura smiled. "So if you broke an arm again, you'd let me heal you?" I laughed. "Aha! Probably not." 

Her smile dropped. "Idiot." 

*****

I stood in my normal ninja outfit next to team 7 in front of Chiyo's grave. The days had passed, and with them everyone had recovered as much as they could. Today, the day of Chiyo's funeral, had left Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara here in their funeral dressings. They were the last here of Suna, everyone else had already left. Team Gai and team 7 stood somberly, saying silent prayers for Chiyo. My head lifted up from my own prayer of luck for her in the after life. I tightened my grip of the bag full of my items that was slung over my shoulders. After some serious thinking with, I had decided it was time to go home.

We traveled to the front of the village, Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara with us to see us off. Kakashi was being supported by Gai the entire time, he hadn't healed enough to even walk on his own yet. Naruto scratched the back of his head, his sentence started slow. "I guess this is when you shake hands and part ways, I was never good at that to be honest-huh?" In the middle of Naruto's rambling Gaara raised his hand with a small smile. Sand arose around Naruto's hand, guiding it to shake Gaara's.

The Kazekage and the soon to be Hokage shaking hands with smiles. Heh, what a funny thought. 

Gaara released Naruto's hand and Naruto walked towards our group, I turned to follow when a hand grabbed on to my hoodie. "Whoa! You're not leaving without a goodbye, are you!? My only student being so cruel to leave like that!" 

I rolled my eyes at the grin Kankuro supported. "Oh yeah, the horror." Humorous sarcasm in my words. I wrapped my arms around him quickly before releasing. Kankuro grinned even wider as he let me go and ruffled my long hair. I smacked his hand away, fixing my hair. "Jackass." I said lowly under my breath. He had heard and laughed loudly.

Temari brought me in for a hug. "We'll miss you! ..Hehe, use condoms when with that Nara guy, okay?" She whispered the last part, winking. My face flamed red. "T-temari!?" "What!? I was kidding! Actually, I wasn't. You two better use co-" I slammed my hand in her mouth. "ALRIGHT! STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!" She chuckled went to stand next to her younger brother, Kankuro. "Gaara, hand shake? Hug? High five? Wave? What'll it be?" I joked, though inside of me I wanted to know what he'd really say. Gaara seemed to internally roll his eyes at my joke, going to simply shake my hand goodbye. 

Of course it wasn't dramatic as when Naruto and him shook hands, but it was nice gesture to me. I smiled one last time at all of them, truly going to miss them, before I turned away, walking out of Suna with the two teams. 

*****

Walking through the hot desert is not fun, not at all. I wanted to summon Ryu to ride across, but everyone deemed it unfair if I had a ride and they didn't. Jealous bastards. I walked or more like dragged my feet next to Tenten. Naruto and Sakura ahead of everyone while Kakashi and Gai lacked in speed. "Both of you Senseis are so slow!" Tenten called back, enjoying being ahead of her Sensei for once. A sigh came from Kakashi. "I'm sorry Gai. Because of that Sharingan move my body is hard to move on my own." "Right! How about this then!!?" "Wha-GAHH!" 

Everyone turned around to see Gai giving Kakashi a piggyback ride. The thoughts between all of us were one except for Lee. 

That... Is disturbing.

Gai swung to our side with a twinkle in his eyes while poor Kakashi was... uh... He's... Uhhh... ''Poor Kakashi'' sums it all up actually.

"TRY AND CATCH UP WITH ME NOW! AHA!!!" With that Gai sped ahead of everyone with a silent Kakashi, who's arms flew back from the force of the speed and wind. "AHAHAHAHA!!!" Was Gai's faint laughter making a sweatdrop cling to my forehead. "Poor, poor, poor Kakashi-Sensei." I said openly, putting much emphasis poor. I turned seeing Lee with his pack on his belly and ready for Neji to jump on his back. "Come Neji!" Neji's eyes widen with digust, backing away from his teammate. "Hell no!!" I, unlike everyone, was slightly tempted to accept Lee's offer. I mean it's a free ride... But I do have some dignity. 

I flailed my arms around, my new puppet extension arm carefully, I had a stupid fear it would detach because of it being new. "Ugh, that's it! I'm not walking another step!" Tenten crossed her arms. "You can't summon an animal, it's unfair to us." "Not true! You guys have Lee if you want a ride!" I claimed preforming hand signs. Lee posed. "AHAH! IT'LL BE A RACE BETWEEN GAI-SENSEI, YOUR SUMMONING, AND MYSELF!!" 

Ryu appeared causing me to ignore Lee's cheerful yells of a race. "It is true, you are going back to Konoha!" Ryu chuckled with happiness for me. I patted Ryu on the back. "Yup, mind giving me ride in that direction. I picked you because you're the strongest and with the weather..." I trailed off with my sentence, my point had been made.

Tenten backed away nervously. "You... You can summon a huge lion?" I nodded with a closed eye smile. "Pretty cool, eh?" Naruto crossed his arms, looking away. "My toads are bigger." "Yeah, try riding one through the desert though." I stuck my tongue at him before he could respond and hopped on to Ryu. Lee grinned, basically dancing in spot. "ON YOUR MARK! GET SET! GO!!" 

***** 

Ryu stared at the crying, bowl hair cut boy with me by his side. "I'M FIFTH!? NOO! GAI-SENSEI I DON'T UNDERSTAND!!" Lee cried pounding on the ground at the gates of Konoha. It wasn't his fault, he had been running so fast he tripped over his own two feet. If it weren't for that Ryu wouldn't have been able to outrun him. I chuckled, no way I was going to let Lee in on that. This would be fun to have hanging over his head. "YOU OBVIOUSLY NEED MORE TRAINING!!" Gai yelled posing with a I'm dead on the inside Kakashi hanging off his back still. "Gai-Sensei," I started off timidly, "Ryu here can take Kakashi to the hospital and... You can go ahead and train Lee more?" I suggested, pointing at the crying Lee.  

Gai pondered for a moment before throwing, and I mean throwing Kakashi at us. "GREAT IDEA! COME LEE, TO TRAINING!!" I did nothing but stare as the two green beasts of Konoha ran away with fire in their eyes. Kakashi tumbled infront of me. "Thank. You." Kakashi breathed out. I patted him on the back and helped him on to Ryu who was gaining more and more attention by the second. Small children gasping with stars in their eyes, mother's grabbing the children away, and father's laughing amused at their wives's worry. "Alright Ryu, follow the mass scent of blood and I'm sure you'll get to the hospital!" I closed my eyes and smiled. "Child... I worry for you sometimes." 

"Hehe, seriously go ahead and take Kakashi to the hospital." My face suddenly less joking, looking up at the exhausted Kakashi. Ryu dipped down his head in a slow nod. "Understood." Ryu then started a fast walk probably following scents of injured people to the hospital. 

A smile graced my lips, barely whispering my thoughts of, "I'm finally back where I belong." 

Quickly concentrating chakra to my feet I ran up the nearest pole. The village was always a breath taking sight and to see it hasn't changed a bit is honestly relieving. The only thing that seemed to change is Tsunade's face added to the Hokage's Monument. They got her beautiful features down perfectly. Snickers escaped my mouth imagining the scene of poor workers being screamed at by Tsunade for trying to add in any wrinkles.

"Hey! Kisha! Wanna grab a bite to eat or something?!" I looked down to Tenten who was waving up at me with Neji standing at her side. "Nah! I'm good, I've got some things to do!" I yelled back, joy in my voice. Tenten smiled and walked off with Neji to I assume a restaurant. I wonder if they're dating? Bet they would go well together, both sensible and calm like personalities mix well.

I turned back to the view of the village. "Where to first?" I want to see him.. I really do... But I should probably check on in at home. I wonder if my father is still an ass? Probably... But Mom.. I can't wait to see her. Tell her all the things that have happened, and how much Suna has changed with Gaara as Kazekage- Ah! I can't wait to tell her Gaara is Kazekage!

Swiftly I jumped off the pole and onto a building, running and jumping roof to roof all the way back to my little, cozy home exactly where I left it. Joy, tremendous joy filled me, anticipation was an emotion swirling around as well, however I was not taking the time to reflect upon my worries. My mission at hand is getting back home and that was that. I jumped onto the roof of my house and used my familiar way of getting in to my room.

Popping up my window and swinging into a darkened room. I sighed in a glad manor. Nothing seemed changed, just how it was suppose to be. A neat bed, a nightstand with several dusty pictures on it by the bed, a closet in the corner and a full body mirror by the closet. 

The way I left it, nothing out of place.

I threw my bag filled with clothes, ninja items, and other accessories onto the bed, turning towards the door a woman's scream raced to my ears. "MOM!?" I yelled, leaving my room and down the steps to see that kind, troublesome woman with the long sandy brown hair and tousled bangs similar to mine. An apron over her sundress and light caramel eyes filled with fear as she stood behind the couch with a large cooking spoon pointed at.... Ryu?

"M-Madam please I-" Ryu was cut off as the spoon hit his face and bounced off. "M-Mom?" I called out, trying not to laugh at the sceen. She turned and her eyes widen, now filled with shock. "A-Akis-! ...S-sweetie!?" I nodded stiffly, unsure of her reaction.

She tumbled over to me, racing past a frowning Ryu who's head held a bump. "AKISHA! OH MY-I-YOU'RE BACK!!?" She hugged me making my grimace at the pain I'd expect, but it never came. Her hug was light and feeble, unlike what I had been expecting. I disregarded that fact and hugged her back. "Yeah... Yeah, I am." My mother released the hugging but not her hands on my arms. Tears ran down her cheeks as she smiled at me. "Y-you've changed so much! Your hair is longer, like mine! A-and you're almost as tall as me!"

I giggled, some tears running down my own cheeks. "Hehe, mom you're short, it's no wonder I'm almost your height!" She hugged me again. "Oh Akisha.. I've missed you..." I hugged back, gripping on to my mom. " missed you too." She released me again but this time with laughter. "And you grew boobs!" My face flushed red. "MOM." "What? You did! Not bigger than that Hinata girl on your team but the boys are going to go-" I flailed my arms, interrupting her words. "MOM! STOP!" 

She laughed before gasping and grabbing me behind her. "Be careful! There's a tiger-" "I'm a lion." "-A lion in here! A talking one! But he can't be Hiroh's, he quit long ago! He's-" "Mom! Calm down!! He's one of my summonings!!" She stared at him then back to me. "Remember? I went to train with the felines? I can summon them..." I said trying to jog her memory. I know she's always a bit loopy but I can't believe she forgot this. She sighed with relief and plopped down on the couch. "That's right..." 

I crossed my arms and a look of worry came to my face.  Mom. Are you okay?" She waved her hand nonchalantly. "Of course, Sweetie! It's hot in here, and you know how I get with the heat." "No I don't, it's never bothered you before." She rolled her eyes and got up from the couch. "Oh Akisha, you worry to much! You're going to wrinkle your face by the time you're twenty!" I gently pushed her back down. "Relax Mom, please?" She sighed again but with a smile. "Only if you tell this old lady of your travels?" I laughed. "Old? You look like you're twenty-five or something."  "I'm thirty-six." ".....So when I first got to Suna-"

***** 

I yawned, stretching my arms, still lying on the couch. After reciting all the information besides the mission with team 7 and team Gai, and Keio's stupid perverted ways, my mom had gone back to cooking as she was before Ryu scared her to death.

"Hey Ryu?" I asked looking up at the sitting lion who seemed to be inspecting the room even after all the time he's been here. "Did something seem... Off about her?" I whispered as so she wouldn't hear. "I couldn't say... I've never met her before." "I know that, but-" Pounding on the door interrupted me. I sat waiting for my mom to rush to the door but she never did, making my suspicions rise even higher. Staring out at the kitchen, at the woman in her own world humming as she made some type of food, I sighed.

Carefree I picked myself up to the door and opened it. "Yes?" "Aha! It is true!!" A very different Kiba yelled jumping in my house. Hinata stepped in too, also looking very different. "Kiba, maybe you shouldn't have jumped in?" Her voice was still frail but she never stuttered once. "I agree with Hinata. It is rude to invite yourself in to one's home." A not so different Shino said. I mean, of course, he was different in height, voice, and outfit but the rest of him was so hidden it was hard to see what else was different. "G-Guys!?" I asked in awe, a grin appearing before completely vanishing. 

I left without even telling them... Shino knew at last moments, but Hinata and Kiba.. Even Kurenai only heard from the Hokage. "Oh so you remember us then?" Kiba said jokingly, yet perhaps his words held spite. "I-Uh-O-OF COURSE, IDIOT!!'' That random spark of anger coming back as I crossed my arms, finish barking at Kiba

"Kisha we missed you. You look very different." Hinata said with a light smile and that light voice changing topic. "Yeah, I can say the same to all of you." I said rubbing my neck with a grin. "I did get pretty hot, no?" Kiba asked running a hand through his hair. I scoffed at him but truth be told he was looking rather- Bah! No! He's my teammate! I shouldn't think like that. "Yes, we all have grown in our age, but that's besides the point, it's good to see Kisha back." Shino said, back to the main topic. Hinata smiled along with Kiba at me. "Does that mean... You guys aren't upset?" My voice was hesitant, "I left without even-" "Ah! That's in the past! We're just happy our lazyass team mate is back!" Kiba laughed loudly, then going on, "...Except you smell like cat."

I frowned, unhappy with his compliment. "Well you smell like wet dog! Dog! Akamaru!? Where is he!?" I asked, suddenly perking up imagining the cute little white fur ball. "Oh he's outside waiting." Kiba pointed before whistling. "Come on boy!!" Hinata and Shino swiftly moved out of the doorway to reveal a white dog as big as Joka running in. 

"WOOF! WOOF!!" His barks weren't squeaky cute anymore, rather assertive and deep. "Aka-Akamaru!? You got so big!!" Kiba patted his dog on the head, confusion on Kiba's face. "Why does everyone say that?" My eye twitched and I flung my hand out at Kiba. "YOU USE TO CARRY HIM ON YOUR HEAD!" "Everyone says that too.." Kiba said rubbing his chin in question. The sad thing about this is I think he's serious.

Akamaru started growling past me. "Akamaru? What's wrong?" "It could be the huge lion in the living room." Shino stated. Kiba looked up and over at Ryu who now has his teeth bared at Akamaru. 

Kiba nearly tripped backwards. "GAH! HOW LONG WAS THAT THING HERE!?''  "I have been here the entire time." Ryu growled out, eyes still on Akamaru. Ryu neared me, staying by my side with the fierce look. "Uhm... Kisha why is-" "He's one of my summonings, this is Ryu the lion." I turned to Ryu. "Calm down, Akamaru isn't a threat." Ryu stopped his low growls and closed his mouth. Still tense but no longer threatening. I grinned patting Ryu on his shoulder. "Cool, right?" Ryu's body dropped the tension. "Must you show me off to everyone?" His quetion left me with a small, "...Maybe." 

Kiba rolled his eyes. "Man, you really are same; personality wise." "Same to you except you've gotten stupider." The words left my mouth, causing a vein to appear on Kiba's forehead. "EXCUSE ME!?" He yelled out, advancing forward a few steps. Shino stopped Kiba with his own remark. "She isn't exactly wrong." He spun around, pointing at Shino. "WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON!?"

"The smart one." 

Kiba's shoulders drooped. "Damn everyone." "Kiba, I think you can be smart." Hinata said, trying to perk him up. He just sighed. "Thanks... I think it's time for some late lunch!!" Kiba said, cheering himself up at his own announcment, also making Akamaru bark in agreement. Akamaru barked a few more times, to which Kiba nodded. He turned to me. "I'm happy you're back, Ki! I got to now!" He hopped onto Akamaru and took off. "He... He really hasn't changed, has he?" Hinata looked off to the side and Shino nodded. "In some ways he has, but his attitude; No." 

"Good to know I suppose. Well it was great seeing you guys." I said, smiling at what remained of my team. Hinata smiled back. "It was great seeing you as well." "It'll be even better once you start missions with us again." Shino concluded before walking out of my house with Hinata.

Ryu swung the door close with his paw. "That was an interesting bunch, child." "They're my teammates. Although I have to say, towards the end of my leaving here to Suna, I really disconnected with them... I'm happy they forgive me." My setence held quiet guilt toned words, until the last part, where thankful tone took over.

Ryu lifted his fuzzy lips to smile. "Indeed little one." 

I turned back towards the door. "Now there's something else I need to do." Ryu titled his head slightly in question. "What's that?" I swung the door open and turned back to Ryu. "I need to find someone. You can go Ryu, thank you for everything." "My pleasure." He left with those words.

I turned and closed the door just before calling to my mom I was heading out. My eyes searching Konoha.

"I wonder.... Where would he be?" 

*****

TADA! CHAPTER END!! ^o^ Hoped everyone enjoyed it~

So who's she going to find, hmmm? Once again thanks to MisakiofKonoha for the lovely cover! And WolfQueenN! Also, what does everyone think about the war idea being a different book and ending this book sometime in Shippuden? 

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!! 

VOTE, FAN, AND/OR FOLLOW! WHAT EVER WATTPAD'S CALLING IT!! ^.^