Heyo epic people~! ^o^ To the side is Aiko!

Lately I've been getting a lot of you amazing fans sending me artwork of Akisha, the summonings or random pictures that look like Akisha! And I just wanted to say thank you!~ You all know who you are and the pictures will be posted to the side for future chapters!

If you guys ever want to send me pictures like that, whether you drew it or not, I'd love to see them! ^__^  Even if you think, 'I can't draw well..' I don't care! >u< I love seeing these types of things!~ 

Alright now, to the chapter~! :3

***Akisha's POV***

"Do you want to take a break? It is getting dark, I won't hold it against you, Aiko." I said for about the millionth time. This girl was stubborn and determined to get home. However, we weren't there yet, in fact, we were still surrounded by a forest, no where near the ocean or anything. Aiko could only move so fast too, so there was that problem too. I looked around, the sky getting darker. It'd be safest to set up camp for the night and to do it off of the trail, more into the actual forest. I looked down to Aiko, she looked tired. I led her off of the trail. "Come on." Aiko glanced back. "But, home?" I shook my head. "Even if we kept walking, it'd take a bit. So let's rest." Aiko pouted but let me guide her none the less. 

We came to a point in the forest that had a small space for us to lay down. I pulled out a summoning scroll I had packed quickly before I left on this mission. Aiko titled her head as I unrolled it in front of us. " What's that?" "Summoning scroll." I answered simply. Aiko seemed even more confused. "What's in it?" I performed the summoning, making two sleeping bags poof up. I grinned. "Not bad right?" She grabbed one of them and looked up to me. "Did you bring clothes?" My face was filled with a clueless look. "Uhh.." She went on. "Or food?" Clueless turned to a pale look. "How about water?" 

I jumped up. "That I have!" She continued to just stare at me. "How much?" I fell back down. " Two or three bottles..." Aiko giggled at me and laid out her bag. "At least we have sleeping bags!" I nodded with a small smile, sitting against a tree with my bag untouched. Aiko yawned as she entered her bag. She looked at me with heavy eyes. "Aren't you going to sleep?" I shook my head. "Not yet... I knew you were tired." She pouted but let her eyes droop close. "Night, Saiya.." Saiya?

"Kitten, I see you've taken on a mission." Keio observed as he made himself comfortable in my lap, the smoke from him poofing up clearing around.

I sighed. "You always randomly appear, it doesn't even surprise me anymore." Keio looked up blandly at me. "Did it ever really surprise you?" I thought about it. It never really made me freak out except for this morning because.. This morning was.. Shikamaru and I... I cleared my throat. "I suppose not." Keio glanced at Aiko, who was fast asleep and then back to me. "Aren't you going to sleep, Kitten?" I shook my head. "Not for a bit. I have to keep watch." "I could do that for you?" Keio offered. I quirked an eyebrow. " Oh? You doing something nice for me, what has the world come too?" I joked, but Keio could see that I had hints of serious in my tone.

"I am your summoning Kitten, even though I hate admitting it, I look out for you." Keio's voice low but meaningful. I gave him a small smile. "Thanks Keio... So... Can I know?" Keio sent me a confused look that mixed with his sly face. "Hm? Know what?" "How you know Kakashi! And why he hates you!" I whined.

I can't help it. I'm curious. 

Keio sighed.  "It's not important but fine... I was a small kitten... And I was even more snide, crude and hurtful in my youth..."

.

.

.

I stared up at the black cat, readying my kitten charm. "Father, can I go with!? Pretty please!?" I asked with a chirp in my voice. Even though I was small to my father, seemed harmless, and always acted nice around authority; I was pretty sly.

"Fine. Let's go." Father grabbed me by the neck as smoke swirled around him. In mear seconds we poofed in front of a man with darker brown hair and sky blue eyes. "Dammit Iko! Who's this!?" The man swore at my father making my ears flatten. My father plopped me down. "Sorry sir. It's my son, he's been bothering me about coming to the human realm for a while." The man pointed else where in the sandy area we were in. "Send him off then, it's dangerous!" I took in more surroundings. Sand was everywhere and the man in front of us seemed harmed.

There were other men around too. They had on headbands with a symbol much like the headband the man had on but their's were crossed out. "Keio, leave." Father commanded making me sprint away. I looked back one last time to see blue chakra cover both my father and the man. 

I kept sprinting till I reached a village. The village known as Suna. I could see some girls giggling at me and other men wearing headbands rushing to where I just came. Perhaps they're going to help? That'd be good. I slowed my pace. Truthfully I wasn't worried at all about my father and that man in battle. I had been bothering father forever to come to this realm. I just wanted to explore it all. I sat and sighed, taking in the million scents that swirled all around me.

" ARGH!" I growled out as a foot stepped on my tail. I swished around to see a boy with a mask covering his mouth. He seemed to be what humans describe as a young teenager. He too wore a headband but it had a symbol that reminded me of a leaf, it also covered his one eye. "Hmpf. Stupid cat." He murmured walking by me. My eyes opened up before narrowing. "Excuse me, you're the heavy footed asshole." The sentence wasn't as intimidating as I'd like it to be. After all how can a little kitten with a premature voice scare anyone?

The boy's eye widen before he glared at me. "Maybe if you were smart enough to move, you wouldn't have gotten in my way."  "You're so snide, how do other humans deal with you!?" I remarked, my fur starting to stand up. "They don't get in my way." He concluded with confident eyes or rather eye. My anger swirled in me. "Bah! You're so annoying, if you had anyone near you they'd probably get killed!!" The boys eye opened wide with hurt, memories flashing through. "Kakashi!" A girl around his age yelled out. The boy or Kakashi turned back. "Rin?"

Rin smiled to him. "Come on we need to focus on this little mission-Oh! A kittten!" My tail flinched. I was still upset and this wasn't helping. "The name's Keio, hmpf." I looked back to Kakashi, aiming to hurt him even more. "Try not to get her killed, stupid." 

.

.

.

I looked down at Keio as he retold the story of how Kakashi came to hate him. "Little did I know, his one teammate had died. And later on so did the other. Even his Sensei's life had come to an end, so I heard." I nodded slowly. "No offense but that's a good reason to hate you." Keio let out a little sigh. " I know it is. But don't think I regret it." A sly tone came back to Keio. " He did deserve it at the moment. I mean, I did go over board but it's not my fault." I rolled my eyes. " You're so vai-." My sentence was interrupted as I yawned. 

Keio hopped from my lap, to my head, to a tree branch above. "Kitten, rest. I'll keep watch." He said smoothly. "Alright." I gave up, and crawled over to my sleeping bag. I took one last look from the glowing eyes of Keio in the darkness to Aiko. Aiko seemed to be peacefully sleeping which let my eyes slowly close without worry. The sounds of the forest soothed me to a light slumber with still one soft thought in my mind.

Who exactly is Saiya?

*****

I snapped awake hearing footsteps dart around. I rushed out of my sleeping bag and looked around. Aiko was still sleeping, everything looked untouched. The sun just started to rise to the sky. I narrowed my eyes. Maybe I just heard an animal... As a Ninja though, I'm not dismissing it. "Keio?" I whispered out, remembering he was watching for the night. The black cat jumped down from a tree branch, seemingly normal. " Are you alright? You seem shaken?" A slight tease to Keio's voice.

I frowned. "I thought I heard something." Keio titled his head. "I never heard anything or smelled any scents." I crossed my arms. "Still... We should move on. I'm not taking the chance." Keio gave me a small nod. "Smart move." I walked over to my sleeping bag, rolling it up. Keio was by Aiko, observing the forest. It seems when placed in a serious situation Keio actually pulls his act together. I took out the scroll that held the two sleeping bags and sealed mine back. I inched over to Aiko. "Hey wake up."

She burrowed in the bag, not once opening her eyes. My eye twitched slightly. "Wake up." My voice was louder and more stern. "Five more minutes..." She murmured making me sigh. I reached in the bag and pulled her out. She stayed half-asleep as I rolled up her bag and put it away. 

I stuffed the scroll in to my pouch and stood up. "Aiko.." I stared plainly at the little girl who laid on the forest floor, trying to go back to sleep. "Up." I nudged her with my foot. A vein was ready to sprout on my forehead. Keio chuckled. "I see you have things under control here." 

"Wha-No! Wait-" I was cut off as he poofed away. I scowled at his spot. I was enjoying his company too... "Whatever. Aiko, up." I moved back to her, crouching down by her side. "But I'm tired." She whined, squeezing her eyes shut. "Don't you want to go home?" Aiko gave me a sad look like I was tearing her in two with these options.

"....Carry me...." 

It wasn't even a question. I groaned, but nodded. It seemed to be the only way I was going to get her to move, even though technically it'd be me moving her. I lifted her in my arms, balancing her on my side. Her arms wrapped around my neck, my arms held her bottom up and lower back. "I can't believe I'm holding you.." I murmured, walking back to the forest trail. "Do you not like kids?" She asked, a drowsy look still clinging to her face. "I'm not sure. I'm indifferent." "Indifferent?" "Means I don't really know or care." Aiko looked up at the sky. "Oh... Your eyes look like the sky." I swear it's one topic to another. Is that how all kids are?

"Yeah so I've been told?" "They're pretty." A longing sound was in her voice. "....Did you know anyone with my color eyes?" I felt her nod as I continued walking down the path. "Yeah..." I wonder if I can take this farther. "Who were they?" "Her name was Saiya." Aiko said, a sadness emitting from her voice. Something happened to Saiya. "What's your favorite color?" I asked randomly, getting away from the topic. "Blue!" Aiko's voice filled with joy. I smiled a small smile. "That's mine too." 

"Blue reminds me of-" Aiko's voice was cut off as I secured my grip on her and darted to the side, evading a sword that crashed down. "Dammit!" The person swore. " =Jeez Heriko! You missed!" A girly voice said. The dust cleared revealing two people. I narrowed my eyes at them. The guy of the group appeared to be older than me by a little. He wore a cut off gray shirt revealing muscles. A mist headband around his neck. Black gloves that matched the black of his boots and baggy pants. He had a medium size sword still stuck in the dirt.  He blew his blue hair out of his left eye but it folded back to cover his eye anyway. The most noticeable thing about him was the burns that covered his whole body.

"Yeah maybe I missed on purpose, you bitch." He swore frustrated. The girl scoffed. She had on a light pink kimono shirt that showed off her belly and curves. She also had on a short skirt and some knee high boots making my thoughts claim one thing about her. Slut. She brushed her long hair out of her face. "Oo! I know this girl!" She pointed at me with a cheerful smile. "We both know her, Kisa." The guy said ripping his sword out of the ground. Kisa frowned taking out her own sword, that was by far bigger than his. "Shut up.." 

Wait. It clicks now. Oh shit. I know these people. Shit. "The Chunin Exams." I sighed out, wanting to face palm, but Aiko clinging onto me in fear kept me from that. Heriko, that crazy bastard, grinned. "The little girl remembers me! Well as you can see, I've changed-" Kisa, my first opponent for the Chunin Exams, interrupted him. "Can we have the girl?" She smiled cheerfully. "Your death can be quick if you just hand her over!" Heriko glared. "Bitch, I was fucking speaking." Kisa's happy face twisted in to something scary. "No one gives a shit about your all-mighty bullcrap." I sweat dropped. These two were even more insane placed next to each other. 

Heriko sent a grin my way, ignoring Kisa's statements. "Looks like I get to finally pay you back for this." He motioned to the burns. "After all it was your damn fire ball that did it." Spite filled his tone. "But now! Fate has graced me!" He laughed loudly making Kisa sigh. "You never shut up." I put down Aiko, but had her by me. "If I tell you to do something. You listen." I said, not leaving it a question for Aiko. "Y-yes!" She squeaked out, fearing this situation. "Get the girl. I'll handle blue eyes." Heriko stated, gripping his sword. 

Just as they made a move, I summoned Joka up. "What's-" " Protect the little girl." I ordered. That was all the panther needed to turn to an approaching Kisa with a snarl. I jumped ahead, meeting Heriko. "Oh? Not a puppet ''master'' anymore?" He chuckled out, poking fun at the word; master.

I smirked as my chakra flamed around me, coaxing my body. He swung his sword at me, but I dodged under, sending him flying with a kick to the face. I didn't let up on this though, rather I appeared on top of him in the air, sending him straight down to the ground with a punch. He landed forming a small crater. I following trying to aim another kick at his body when he rolled to the right, jumping up and swinging the sword at me. I just managed to evade it and performed some hand signs. "WIND STYLE: GREAT BREAK THROUGH!!" I channeled some of my chakra to my throat and brought my hands to my mouth, blowing strong gusts of winds at Heriko.

Heriko blocked most of it with his sword but some of the wind whipped at him, creating cuts that dripped with his blood. He sent me a look of some surprise and acknowledgment. "You've changed.. I like it." I took out senbon needles that my chakra coaxed as well. "Is that so?"

Heriko grinned. "Yeah, I like this you better. You were a coward, but now... I have an idea. A compromise." I scoffed yet let him continue. "Konoha probably doesn't even thank you for the things you do for it, such a shitty village.. Why not join the Mist? Or better yet, join me?" A possessive look in his eyes and his grin only spread across his face. "Didn't you want to pay me back for your burns?" I asked, trying to see where this would go. He chuckled lowly. "Battle scars are nothing to be ashamed of. And I wouldn't want you injured if you were to come with me, eh?" He gave me a suggestive look. Oh great, he's no longer just insane. He's perverted now too.

Hm, this should play to my advantage if he's attracted to me.

I smiled and batted my eye lashes at him, making the chakra around me vanish. I walked closer, switching the needles to my left hand. "Well.. You know, I've always wanted to say this." I leaned in, making him lean in. Just until we were inches apart, I moved to the side to his ear.

"You can go fuck yourself, psycho."

I whispered sweetly before balling up chakra in my right hand and punching his chest with all my strength. His eyes widened at the pain and blood spewed from his mouth as he fly back a few feet. He didn't move from the spot he landed, only more blood poured from his mouth.

"H-HERIKO!" The teammate, Kisa yelled. I looked back to see her torn up and some cuts on Joka, but Aiko looked safe. Scared, but safe. I quickly concentrated chakra all around me again and to the needles in my left hand. I threw only half of them at her. She dodged with her sword letting me flash-step behind her. Kisa let out of a gasp. "F-fast!" I didn't reply and jammed the needles in her neck. Kisa locked up then fell to the ground.

Paralyzed. 

"A.. Akisha.." Joka looked up at me with wide eyes. "I didn't kill her, I don't kill, you know that." I breathed out. I used a lot of chakra. Not enough to keep me down, only alot to make me tired. Joka smiled, revealing his sharp teeth. "I've never seen you so... Badass. Bravo human." 

I glared. "I thought you stopped that name." Joka shrugged his shoulders. "Does it really matter?" His voice gruff and challenging. I rolled my eyes, stepped over Kisa's body to Aiko and bent down in front of her. "Are you alright?" Aiko shook her head, tears starting to tumble down her cheeks. "Were you hurt!?" Panic raced through me. "N-No... Are they dead?" She asked looking to me with her big, chocolate eyes. I smiled at her. A child does worry if the people who tried killing you died. "No, I've never killed anyone before." I stood up all the way. "Come on, we still have to get you home." 

"I'm scared. I can't m-move." She stayed in her spot, unmoving. "Okay here's what were going to do. I'm going to get you to go to sleep and Joka will carry you, hm?" I said, waiting for her confirmation. Aiko was just a little girl, she didn't need to see this battle. Aiko covered her face. "O-okay.." Carefully I took her in a hug, softly pinched her neck, and let her slip in to the world of dreams. "Good idea." Joka said, giving me approval. I picked up Aiko with a small sigh. "Yeah but I feel bad for doing it." Joka let out a heavy breath. "Who cares?" That firm ring in his voice. "I suppose it was for the best. I mean there's no way she was moving on her own after this, she was way to scared." My voice wondered off, as if I was just speaking to myself. 

I turned to Joka, setting Aiko on his back. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing!?" He snarled with a glare. I scratched the back of my neck. "I need you to carry her?... I'm too tired.." Joka's glare casted down to the ground. "Fine." "Thank you Joka." "Whatever." 

I chuckled to myself. Joka started walking but stopped when he passed by Heriko's unconscious body. I catched up to him. "What is it?" Joka stared to me, debating something in his mind. "Nothing." Joka continued his walk along with me and my now narrowed eyes. "Tell me." "No. Screw you." "Please?" Joka gave me a fierce glare. "I would kill you if it weren't for the fact I have a tiny human on my back." I giggled lightly. "Hehe, right." Joka huffed to himself in defeat, treading along the path. I stopped walking but didn't gain Joka's attention. I looked back to the body of Heriko. 

What is it that Joka didn't tell me? Hmpf. This is stupid of me... Ah well. I went with my instincts and rushed back to the body. "Akisha, don't!" I heard Joka call yet I didn't listen to him. I could hear him rush here as well, but I already bent down inspecting Heriko. What did Joka see that I didn't?

Wait. He's not... Did I? ...My eyes widen up and I backed away from Heriko's body.

There's no...

...Heart beat.

I continued backing away from Heriko's body. His lifeless body. "I killed him.." I whispered in horror. I never killed anyone before... That punch must have hit his heart... I killed someone. Someone who could have had parents. A family. A Sensei. A lover. A life.

My eyes trailed over to Kisa. I killed her teammate... I looked back down at Heriko. His eyes were closed, yet I could almost see how dim they would be, no light reaching them. "Akisha." Joka's voice was low. "It was your mission. He would have killed you or the girl on my back." "I've never killed anyone before.." I looked down. "Never." Joka stared at me with a hard look. "Would you rather it had been you?" I shook my head. "No.. It's just.. When I was younger I despised death." Joka gave me a questioning look so I continued. "I saw Gaara, when he was confused and monstrous, kill people often. It's terrible thing to see.." 

Joka turned around. "You make a terrible Ninja." I sharply twisted to him. "Excuse me!?" He didn't look back. "Death is apart of everything. You shouldn't focus on it right now, focus on your mission." 

I stayed in my spot. One memory swarmed in my mind

 "No, just no Akisha. Even the strongest Ninja will fall in time."  "I know this, but they fall for a cause! The people they love know that!" 

I felt more at ease at the thought. That was the day of the Third Hokage's funeral. My father was lecturing me and letting out some truth when I was in the hospital. That was the last thing I said to him before getting dressed for the funeral. Death.. It is common, isn't it? Then I really shouldn't worry about it. Not when I do need to be focusing on Aiko. I am so stupid sometimes. I ran ahead to Joka. "Wait up!!" Joka side glanced at me. "You finally put things together?" I shook my head with a small smile. "Nope." Joka smirked. "The way it should be."

"So... You really thought I looked badass back there?" I grinned at him making him frown. "Not at all. I lied." I waved it off. "Come admit it! You thought I looked epic!" Joka uttered a growl, never once stopping his steps. "Where are we going?" He asked, changing topic.

"The Land of Waves. We should be there shortly."

*****

"Shortly." Joka echoed my words to me with spite. Night time had come around. Aiko had woken up but stayed on Joka's back much to his dismay. I groaned. "Oh shut up, we're here now." Aiko smiled looking at the bridge that connected her to her home. I looked up reading the name of the bridge. "The Great Naruto Bridge." I smiled, Naruto was the hero the Aiko brought up here? This doesn't really shock me. Naruto has that affect on people. "Hey. Take the small one. I'm leaving." 

I looked at Joka with curiosity. "Why are you going now?" Joka huffed. "I'm not needed anymore, since you're here at the village and all." "Yeah but-" Joka didn't let me go on and poofed away letting Aiko fall. I darted to catch her and succeeded, even though I was now on the ground by the way I caught her. My eye twitched slightly while Aiko sat on top of me. "Thank you!" She had a wide smile on her face. I pulled her off of me and got up to my feet. "You're welcome." Aiko bit her lip in worry. "You know, you don't look very good." It was true. With that battle earlier, and I've been awake since sunrise, not to mention the non-stop walking. 

"I'll be fine. Now come on! Your parents are waiting for you right!?" Aiko jumped up. "Yeah!" She held on to my hand and we walked the bridge in to the Land of Waves. I looked on ahead, the sights were nice. The village seemed kind and well going. 

We crossed the bridge in a small amount of time. A villager smiled at Aiko. "Aiko! You're back!" Aiko nodded. "Yep! I'm going straight home!" The villager chuckled and moved on. Not too many people were out now that it had become dark. "You're well known." I observed lightly. She shrugged. "Everyone knows everyone. I heard that this place was really bad before the that bridge was made. Now it's kind and peaceful." Aiko went on while guiding me to her home. Her face brightened at the sight of a small home by the ocean. Other houses were spread out making it a quieter area, but friendly none the less. "We're here!!" Aiko raced to her house without me. I stayed back, simply observing the scene to come.

Aiko knocked on the door which swung open to a woman, the woman looked much like an older Aiko. She hugged on to this woman with glee. A man appeared with darker hair, I could still see how much he looked like Aiko too though. They must be the mother and the father. They all hugged together. The parents let go suddenly, asking something. Aiko pointed to me, making her parents see me too. I could have listened in, but I chose not too. I didn't feel up for it at the moment. I just wanted to go rest and then head back to Konoha.

Her mother beckoned me over. Slowly I obeyed, and was welcomed by her parents kindly. "Oh! Thank you so much for bringing her back to us safely! I don't know what happened to her other guard, they were visiting our homeland! And- And-" The husband set his hand on his wife's shoulders. "Calm down there." A tiny sweat drop on his head. Aiko tugged on her mother's dress, so that her mother would lean down. She whispered something to her making her jump up and opened the door to their home. "Oh yes! Please dear, come in! You look like you need a night's rest!" 

I glanced at Aiko, sending her a 'thank you' with my eyes. Aiko grinned and ran in to her home followed by her father and the mother who basically shoved me in the house, whether I wanted to be there or not. "No need to be shy! This is how we'll repay you!" The father sighed. "What about the money we're now going to have to send to Konoha?" His wife glared and whacked him on the head. "Oh shut up." She turned back to me with a smile. "I'll show you where you can spend the night!"

 I went to say something when I was tugged along further in the house. A sweat dropped appeared on my head. She never even let me say my name. These people seem kind though, and I'm not going to let this opportunity pass by. I sighed lowly, more of a sigh that showed relief. 

I can't wait to fall asleep. 

*****

So~ Old enemies indeed, eh? ^__^" 

What'd you guys think of that little twist, hm~!?

Oh and what about why Kakashi hates Keio? ;-; It's like you want to dislike Keio, but he's too fabulous to dislike...

Also remember! If you want to draw fanart or something like that, feel free too! It always means a lot >u< Just send it to me in a private message~!! Or comment, or whatever! ^.^

~!COMMENT PLEASE!~