AH! I LOVED THE COMMENTS ON THE LAST CHAPTER VERY MUCH!! XD THANK YOU ALL! 

To the side is a cute little picture of Ino and Akisha! ^.^

Next chapter will be a picture of a character you'll soon know of! ^___^

Oh and to the side is a song that reminds me of how Shikamaru and Kiba both kinda see Akisha X3 Oh yeah, Kiba is still in the picture >3>  That and who doesn't love a Vocaloid song? ^-^

Now then! On to the story!

***Akisha's POV***

"Kitten, I highly advise you to wake up." I turned to my side, ignoring the voice and letting slumber take over. The voice sighed. "Kitten, up." I didn't move, still to tired to process what ever was happening. "I'm doing this for your sake." The voice mumbled before pain slashed on my cheek. Startled, I quickly rose to a sitting position. "Huh!? What!?" Keio sat on the covers in front of me, looking highly amused. "Hm, so that's what your breasts look like." Confusion surged through me until I looked down. The covers came off when I got up revealing my naked body. "Epp! Keio! What the hell!?" I tugged the covers up, hiding my chest area.

"What? I'm a cat. I don't care. I don't really fancy your kind anyway." My eye twitched at him. "What do you want?" My tone bland and a hint of spiteful was tossed in. "You and lover boy should wake up." Keio stated simply. I lifted my brow, looking to the side of me only to see a passed out Shikamaru laying face down. My face heated up remembering last night's events.

"I knew you two were bound to fuck sooner or later." Keio said, licking a paw. The heat to my face became even hotter. "You little-" I cut myself off from going on a swear rant. "What are you doing here, Keio?" Keio stopped licking his paw. "I decided to be kind enough to save you two from dying." "Eh? What do you mean?" 

Keio's ears perked up. "Oh you'll see in...  Three... Two... One..." "AKISHA! WE'RE HOME!" A bright cheery voice yelled. I gasped, "OH SHIT!" I turned to Shikamaru as Keio chuckled and vanished. "HEY GET UP!!" I yelled but only loud enough to be heard by Shikamaru. "Wha-What?" I jumped out of bed, getting dressed in a hurry. I turned to Shikamaru, still only half dressed, and shoved him. "My parents are home!!" It came out as a hissed whisper.

That was all Shikamaru needed to jump out of the bed and get dressed. "Akisha! Are you home!?" I heard my mother's footsteps start walking up stairs. I glanced in the mirror. My clothes were put on in such a rush that things were backwards and inside out while my hair was tangled and teased. I could explain that easily. I looked over to the half dressed Shikamaru. I cannot explain him though...

"Shikamaru, I'm sorry!" I rushed over to him. "What do you-Hey!" And with a push, he fell out of the window I use for entry. He hit the ground with an 'Oof' making me flinch for him. "My Chunin vest is st-" "SHUSH! GO AWAY! I'LL GET IT TO YOU LATER!" I yelled in a hushed whisper before slamming the window and plopping on to my bed, kicking his Chunin vest underneath the bed. As I did all of this my mother entered the room. "Akisha! You are home! Let's all have lun-" She stopped mid-sentence, her words interrupted by I assume to be thoughts swirling in her head. I scratched my neck nervously. There's no way she'd know, right? 

"Akisha..." A warning tone in her voice. I cleared my throat. "Y-yes?" She suddenly cracked up laughing. "YOU LOOK TERRIBLE! OH SWEETIE, DID YOU GO BLIND WHEN YOU GOT DRESSED!?" I immediately fell off the bed, twitching on the floor. Her laughter died down. "I'll leave you to.. Fix... Yourself." She said, snickering at me. "Take a shower too, your hair is so messy!" I sighed. "I know mom." She eyed me. "Yeah, that's what you always say. Now go take a shower or else." A sweet, murdering ring to her tone. I nodded to her. "Uh-huh! Uh-Huh!" She smiled, still looking evil whist doing so, and walked out of my room.

I let my head rest on the floor. "That could have been better." "Could have been worst." I dragged myself up. "Keio? Should I guess you saw all of that on the magical portal thingy Suru-sama has?" Keio's ears flattened in annoyance. "It's a crystal ball. And yes I was watching the scene from it, but I came back now because.. Well I'm back." "Can that crystal see into the future?" I asked randomly. Keio gave me a strange look. "No, we have a crystal of the present. We can see in the present so long as the Master lets us." I positioned myself to sitting cross legged on the floor, now was better than never. "Can I ask some more questions?" Keio chuckled lowly. "Curious as a kitten. Go ahead." 

"I remember Joka, a long time ago, saying that all of my summonings, you, Hana, Joka, and Ryu watched me? Something like that.." Keio dipped his head 'yes' until titling it side to side. "Sort of. You see, we have watched you when you were little, and still have access to you in our realm if Master lets us. But we haven't stalked you your whole life, if that's what you mean. We've just witnessed the important things, like your fighting abilities, and what has made your personality." 

"I see.. Sorry this was random, I kind of thought about it.. HEY WAIT!" Keio's ears perked up. "Yes Kitten?" "Y-YOU DIDN-" I stopped my panicked yelling and hushed myself. "Y-you didn't see.. Anything.. Last night?" Keio's eyes widen and he laughed a mewling-howl laugh. His laughter soon ceased however, and he rubbed his eye with his paw, like he had teared up. "Oh how delightful. Simply delightful. No, no Kitten. None of us have seen the more.. .Shall we say ''explicit'' things." I turned away with a pout. "It was a legitimate question." Keio swiftly jumped in my view. "I know. Still hilarious." I groaned. "Go away Keio... How can you even summon yourself without me anyway?" Keio closed his eyes throwing his head up. "Because I'm the best." I laughed making his eyes open to a narrow point. "You disagree?" I stood up, stretching. "Very much so." 

The playful glint in Keio's eye never ceased. "It's truly because I have a large amount of chakra. So large I am able to control it well enough to transfer myself here and yet, still have a decent amount left." I nodded, recalling my battle with Keio in Suna. He's a harder opponent than you'd think but was still the easiest to defeat out of my Summonings. "Thank you for answering my questions." I said to Keio, generally grateful. Keio flicked his head up and down, accepting my thanks. "So.. You can leave now." I said, with a closed eye smile. Keio scoffed amused. "What makes you think I'm leaving?" I fell over for millionth time today, but quickly got back to my feet. "Fine. I'm going to take a shower."  "Take your time, Kitten." 

***** 

I zipped up my sleeveless hoodie and grabbed Shikamaru's Chunin vest. "I'm heading out now, you coming?" Keio seemed to shrug before hopping on to my shoulders. "I think you made to big of a deal back there." My eye twitched as I neared my bedroom window. "I prefer getting dressed alone." "But you let Nara boy undress you-"  "Keio, I'll feed you to a dog." 

"Ah Kitten, so uptight." Keio purred in my ear. "Hey, why are we going near the window?" "I don't want to face my parents with the Chunin vest. It'll be hard to explain.." Keio chuckled at that as I opened the window and hopped out, Keio gripped on me tougher. I landed smoothly with the vest in my hand and a scowling Keio. "How about a warning before jumping out a window?" "You knew what I was doing. Sheesh." A grin tugged at my lips. "...Say do your parents know about you and-" I stopped him, knowing where this was going. "Alright, alright. Sorry." Keio eyed me with a curling smirk. "I think I'll be going now, I've had my fun." 

I didn't even object as Keio disappeared and Shikamaru came in to my sight. It seems whenever I'm around someone else Keio leaves. I wonder why that is. I walked up behind a vest-less Shikamaru. "Missing something?" He flinched and turned around. "You scared me..." He murmured with a sweat drop. "I can't help you let a girl scare you." I said lowly with a tiny smile. "Here." I raised up the Chunin vest when it was suddenly snatched out of my hands. "Kisha! What are you doing with Shikamaru's vest? I was wondering why didn't have it today." Ino said giving Shikamaru and I knowing eyes as she lifted the vest for all eyes. "Why did Kisha have his vest-" Ino nudged Choji who had walked over with Asuma. 

A question mark appeared on his head. Ino face palmed. "Think Choji. Why would a girl have boy's clothes?" By now Shikamaru and I had our heads down. Shikamaru grabbed his vest back, slipping it on. "How about we talk about something else now?" I suggested, snapping my head back up with some hope. Ino grabbed me, leading me away as Asuma grabbed Shikamaru with a grin. Choji walked off with Asuma and Shikamaru too. "So, you and Akisha?" "So, you and Shikamaru?" Ino winked at me. I shoved her away with a red face. "What!? I-" Ino titled her head.  Now that I think about it, you got back yesterday from that mission, didn't you? And I couldn't find Shikamaru yesterday either." She said while tapping her chin in thought.

"Okay fine Ino, we went on a date." My voice was low. Ino jumped up with a squeal. "O! What happened on this dat-" "Time to go." I was saved from Ino's ramblings by Shikamaru. "Don't get so embarrassed, Shikamaru!" Asuma said chuckling. "But we'll move on from this subject." Ino's shoulders slumped. "But-! But-!" Asuma walked ahead, ignoring Ino. "Let's visit Kakashi, hm? He's still in the hospital, you know." Shikamaru and I shared a glance before we both nodded to Asuma. The rest of Shikamaru's team walked a bit ahead of us while we hung back. "What did you guys talk about?" I whispered to him. "More like Asuma-Sensei gave me congrats." He mumbled back. "Sounds right." He looked intrigued. "What'd you and Ino talk about?" 

"More like Ino tried prying things out of me." I corrected. Shikamaru nodded to me. "Yeah I know how that is too." I looked up at the hospital as we neared it. I actually can't believe Kakashi is still recovering. That move he did with Sharingan really was powerful. I followed the Asuma, Choji and Ino in with Shikamaru right beside myself. We got to Kakashi's room quite soon. Asuma opened the door making Ino turn. "We shouldn't barge on in, Asuma-Sensei!" "Hey!" Choji yelled in glee, drowning out Ino. "The color finally returns to your face, Kakashi." Asuma observed with a grin.

Kakashi was in the hospital bed but he was sitting up. Sakura by his side along with Naruto and Sai. All of them wearing average clothes instead of their ninja attire. Shikamaru looked around, greeting every one with a nod till his eyes rested on Sai. "You're that guy who..." He trailed off, getting defensive. Choji pointed at Sai. "Right! The one we fought when Akisha and Naruto got back!!" 

Oh yeah that's right. They don't know Sai actually a good guy now... Well... Yeah I guess Sai's good now despite the whole real mission with Sasuke and all. I stepped over by Sai. "Wait! Before you guys freak out, this is Sai. He's reasonably good. He was testing our skills that day or something." I waved my hands as to add to my statements. Choji looked to be thinking about it before he sent us a closed eye smile. "Ah I see." Ino tugged Sakura and I towards her. "He's pretty cute, a face that might even pass Sasuke's." I sweat dropped while Sakura just whispered back to Ino, "That's how he looks, he acts completely different." "Basically he lacks social skills and is kind of an ass." I said, letting Ino fully understand Sai's unusual personality.

"I heard about the mission." Shikamaru said stepping more into the room. "I'll help you out next time, those pain in the ass Chunin Exams are done with finally." A glad feeling passed through me. Shikamaru will have more free time now. "Oh really?" I asked, as to be sure. Shikamaru sent me a smile. "Yeah." I smiled back. 

Everyone in the room, besides Sai, got a devious or knowing smile at us, making Shikamaru's head and my own shoot down.

Asuma raised his hand to the door. "We should all go to Yakiniku Q with Team Kakashi, what do you all think? It's on me." I sent Asuma a thankful look for changing topic. Choji jumped up. "I'M IN!" Ino clapped her hands together. "Same here!"  Asuma walked over by Kakashi. "I need to talk to you alone anyway." Naruto flailed his arms. "Hey! What about the training and stuff!?" Kakashi gave Naruto a simple look. "We'll do it later." Naruto crossed his arms. "But I wanted to know now.." He mumbled with a tiny pout. "Hm, you know, Yakiniku Q actually sounds like a good place to go right now." I said, my mind trailing off thinking of the meat they served there that I haven't had for three years. That's probably Choji favorite restaurant too. "Then let's go!" Choji cheered, ready to run out the door. Before anyone could say anything, the window in the room slid open revealing an Anbu member. "Hm?" Kakashi questioned. 

Anbu stared to me. "Akisha Syerki. Your presence has been requested by the Hokage." For what reason? I was going to voice that thought but it's best not to question it. "Understood." And the Anbu left just like that. I groaned. "I'm going to have a mission or something aren't I?" Ino also groaned, suddenly hugging me. "Here I thought you could be my wing-woman!" I stared at her. "Wh-What?" "It's best not to keep the Hokage waiting." Asuma said while pulling Ino off of me. Shikamaru walked towards me. "I can walk you there, if you want?" I shook my head. "Thanks, but you should go to the restaurant with everyone. Have a great time and all." 

Shikamaru shrugged, rubbing his neck. "It's not that great if you're not there." "AWH! COUPLE MOMENT!" Sakura and Ino squealed grabbing on to each other. Sakura more or less yelled it normally while Ino was full on squealing. I hung my head and sighed at them, "Good bye." 

*****

I walked in the Hokage's office with some curiosity clinging to my face. " Kisha! About time you got here." Tsunade glared, crossing her arms. Shizune was hugging on to the little pig who's name I can't seem to remember. "S-sorry!" I rubbed my neck, looking away with some fear. Tsunade was really intimidating when she's upset and you're the cause- Scratch that, she's intimidating in general.

Tsunade's glare soon left her face, replaced with an 'oh well' look. "You're here now, that's what matters I suppose." I nodded with a closed eye smile. "I agree." Tsunade's lips twitched upward. "Hmpf. Don't push your luck. Anyway, the reason I called you here is because you match some qualifications for a solo Ninja mission." "What? Qualifications? What do you mean?" I asked. I know I shouldn't question the Hokage but I know Tsunade closer than most people. "I'll have her explain. Enter please!" Her voice stern as she called for whoever but coaxed with kindness. 

A door to the side of the room opened to reveal a small timid girl. She walked over, her chocolate brown eyes wondering the room and myself. Her short, brown hair bounced behind her and so did her skirt that was accompanied with a larger jacket. She looked so innocent and small that the girly parts in me screamed at me to hug her, but of course, I resisted. "This is her?" The girl asked, titling her head at me. Tsunade dipped her head a 'yes'. "This is Akisha Syerki." The girl turned to her with a question on her face, like she was asking if I was okay. I sweat dropped. "Uh, can I be filled in here?"

The girl suddenly turned back to me. "O-oh! I'm Aiko! Sorry!" She apologized. "Not a problem, but uh, 'requirements'?" I quoted Tsunade's words making Aiko perk up. "Oh wel-Uhm." She turned to Tsunade expectantly. Tsunade took over. "Aiko here needs you to get her back home. She wanted a girl, older but not an adult."  "I don't like adults when I'm alone." Aiko interjected. "And she didn't want anybody girly, loud or violent." "Girls like that are scary." Aiko interjected again, looking down.  Someone fast in case needed and with a safety plan. Meaning if you were to get in trouble you could get help fast from your summonings." Tsunade finished explaining.

I took in all the information and looked to Aiko. She seems like a normal girl. Shy, but happy and normal. "I understand. Then I guess I am the perfect girl for the job. What's the details of the mission?" Shizune stepped more into frame. "It's a B-rank mission. Aiko here might have some Ninja coming after her. You're also to take her back to her home to the Land of Waves." 

Didn't Team 7 have a mission there once? With the whole Zabuza thing? I remember hearing something about it.

"Got it." Aiko looked from Tsunade to me. "So, do we leave now?" She asked, a nervous tone. "I need to get some tools first." I answered her question. I didn't even have one kunai on me. "Go ahead. Good luck." Tsunade gave me her goodbye and I walked out of the door. "W-wait!" I stopped my feet and turned to see little Aiko following me. "Aiko, you can wait at the gates if you want, I won't be long." She shook her head, looking more comfortably with me now. "No!" I sweat dropped. "Okay, then let's just go to my home real quick and we'll be off." She nodded and followed me out. Now that I think about it, she's not really normal. More strange, but that's okay. I just wonder how she got here in the first place.

***** 

I was at my front door and turned to Aiko. "Just wait here?" Her features faded into fear. " What if someone tries to get m-me? That's what you're for right?" I stood up straight. "Is this why you wanted to come with me here?" She looked down and away. "....Maybe...." I sighed and turned, opening the door to my house. "Hello! I'm home!" I called out, praying no one would answer. I didn't want to deal with any of it at the moment. "Akisha!" My mother raced out from the kitchen with a smile. " How are y-O! Who's this!?" She asked with a loud excited voice. Aiko clung to my leg, hiding herself. "S-scary!" She squeaked out. 

Oh right, loud women are scary to her. I chuckled to myself. "This is Aiko, I'm going on a mission to get her back home." My mother looked at me surprised. "Missions!? Already!? Sweetie you make me so proud." She sent me a wide smile that sent me heart dropping. "T-thanks mom.. I'll just get my tools and leave then." My mother nodded and went back to the kitchen, where I swear, she spends all of her time in. "That woman is scary." Aiko whispered up to me, still not letting go. "I can't disagree with that." I said, leading Aiko up the stairs for my weapons.

*****

I looked down at little Aiko. "Okay, are you ready?" She nodded, looking at the gates of Konoha. "Y-yeah!" Such a pecuilair kid... I started walking out with her by my side when a voice stopped us. "Ki! Hey! Where have you been!?" Kiba ran over to me, Akamaru by his side. Aiko immediately hid herself behind me. "Going on a mission." I answered nonchalantly. Kiba titled his head at Aiko. "With her? Why is it only you?" Aiko stuck her tongue at Kiba. "Because boys are annoying and so are loud people, like you!" Kiba's eye twitched and he cracked his knuckles. "You little brat..." I crossed my arms stepping in Kiba's direction. "What do you think you're doing? Aiko is under my protection, you want anything to do with her you go through me." My voice stern.

Kiba rolled his eyes. "Yeah, uh-huh. My bad, anyway when you're done with the mission swing by my place, we need to hang out." Kiba gave me a cheery smile and ran off again with Akamaru woofing me a goodbye. I sighed at his antics, but a smile made it's way to my face. Kiba was probably looking for me to hang out then, which explains why he got upset I had Aiko with me. Aiko looked up to me innocently. "Is he your boyfriend?" Shock made it's way to my face. "W-what!? No! Not at all!" Aiko looked down sadly. "Oh, I thought you two were."

I started walking with her by my side, out of Konoha. "And why's that?" She shrugged with a smile and started to skip by me. "I dunno! You two act like my parents, so I thought you were married." I tripped over my feet hearing her words. "Gah! Married?" I shuddered. "Not with him, he's that guy that's an annoying friend." She nodded firmly. "Yep! Boys are annoying, but there's once I have back home like how you said, annoying but friendly!" "Oh and what's his name?" She pouted to herself, perhaps remembering something. "Inari. He's stupid too! He brags he met a real hero and that he once got the whole village together."

"You say it like you weren't born there?" My sentence came out as a question, waiting for her to confirm. "Mhm! I was actually born in the Hidden Waterfall's village. That's why I'm going back home in the Land of Waves, because I was visiting my birth place." I nodded my head. That makes sense. "But then, where was the person that was transporting you there?"

She looked away. "I don't know... We were passing by Konoha and she suddenly disappeared... My parents told me if that ever happened to request someone to take me back home."I should be alert then... Something bad happened to her guard, no doubt about it. "So you and that guy aren't married?" I face planted into the ground. Dammit, she remembered that topic. "Uwah! Are you okay?" I hopped back up to my feet. "I-I'm fine, just thought you forgot about that. Anyway! No we're not married or anything of the like, just friends." She giggled. "Are you suuure?" I continued walking on. "Very sure. What about you and Inari, hm?" 

She shook her head vigorously. "No way!! He's older than me! And stupid! And blah!" I raised an eyebrow. "And how old are you?" She held up nine fingers. "I turned nine a week ago! That's why I visited my birthplace." If it's as innocent as that then why'd people attack her old guard? Then again the guard could have left her but... 

Even Tsunade deemed this as a B-rank mission. 

"Akisha?" Aiko's voice of worry reached me. "Ah, oh, I'm okay. Just thinking... You don't have to call me Akisha either. Most call me Kisha." Aiko jumped up in excitement. "O! O! What other nicknames do you have?" This girl is very weird... Bi-polar almost... Or, is this how kids act? "Uh let's see, Ki. Kisha. Kish. Sweetie. Troublesome girl-" I hid my blush at that one. " And there's also Kitten." 

"I like Kish! Kishhh." She stretched out the 'SH' part with a giggle. "I like you, Kish." Aiko grabbed on to my hand as we walked, Konoha was far behind us now. "You remind me of someone." She said again but not as peppy. I closed my hand around her own. I felt kind of awkward but I let it be. "Who do I remind you of?" Aiko's brows furrowed. "Someone." 

Does this have to do with why she needs a guard?

...What's the full story here?

*****

Yep! We're going on a little arc here! ^o^ 

;-; And no, Shikamaru won't be featured in it but here's a little hint, after this arc, the next part will be featuring some certain immortals >___> One with slicked back hair that I love *^* Seriously, he's my third favorite character~ Deidara's second! Shikamaru's first >u<

...I went in to a little rant here ._. Hehe! ^-^" Sorry! 

So! Thoughts on this arc coming up? And the little peculiar Aiko? Oh, and how many of you guys reacted like Ino and Sakura, hm? XD Don't lie! Which one of yous yelled out, 'COUPLE MOMENT!?' X3 

COMMENT YOUR RESPONSES!~