Ello wonderful fans I love dearly! ^.^

To the side is the Mist Team: Heriko, Kisa, Atsume, and their Sensei, Damion. Obviously the outfits aren't how it is in the book, but come on, you guys get it ^-^"  And isn't that bastard Heriko hot? You know he is~! X3

I mean he's dead now ._.

...but he WAS hot ^-^"

*crickets chirping* 

.....MOVING ON!

***Akisha's POV***

Everything's dark. Except for that spotlight. What's in that light? 

I stepped closer, through the darkness. My eyes slowly opening at the sight in that light. "Shikamaru?" My voice sounds disoriented, but the fear for Shikamaru overwhelmed my concern for myself. I stepped closer, a faster pace.

Shikamaru was kneeling. Crying... No.. Sobbing. 

"Shikamaru!" I yelled out. He didn't hear. He was holding something. Something small and shiny. I started to run for him. Why's he crying? What's wrong? What's happening? So many things running through my mind. But all that matters is that I reach him.

"SHIKAMARU!!"

.

.

.

"Kish?" 

I sat up immediately hearing my name, releasing small pants from the adrenaline from that fearful dream. Looking around I could see I was still at Aiko's house, in her family's spare room where I slept. Normally I fight to sleep longer, however when such unpleasant dreams occur, you should take caution. I've never had a dream like that...

I looked up to see the chocolate eyes of Aiko. "Yes?" Aiko shuffled her feet. "Mom said to wake you for breakfast." I nodded and got up to my feet, letting a tiny sigh escape. "Is that alright? I can leave now." Aiko shook her head vigorously. "Mom likes when people eat her food!" I chuckled. It felt amusing to be in this situation where a little girl didn't want you to leave yet. "Okay then." I followed Aiko out of the room to see her father and mother sitting at a traditional Kotatsu, a square table close to the floor with blankets coming from it providing warmth. Her mother graced me with a smile. "Good morning! Come sit!"

I obeyed her command happily, choosing to sit across from Aiko's father which meant Aiko and her mother were on my sides. Aiko stared plainly at her food and then to the front door with longing. "Mom... I promised Inari I'd let him know I was back safe." Aiko had a certain whine to her voice that made her mother sigh but also cave in. "Go ahead. But hurry back then! Your food will get cold." Aiko nodded and ran out of the house making me release a chuckle. "She's certainly different, isn't she?" The mother remarked. "Yes she is... Oh my! I forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Yamika and my husband here is Tayo." I smiled to them. "I don't think I formally introduced myself either. I'm Akisha Syerki." Yamika smiled right back at me. 

My look twisted in to a type of guilty as I picked at the food. "Yamika... I was wondering... Who's Saiya?" The smile on her face evaporated within only a second. Tayo slowly put down his fork, looking down. "Saiya was..." "Yamika." Tayo stopped his wife's words. She shook her head. "No we owe her this. She protected Aiko, didn't she?" Tayo sighed but let her go on. "Saiya was our first born. Aiko's older sister. She had these blue eyes like Tayo has, and even you bear a resemblance." I nodded slowly, starting to understand. "What happened to her?" 

"She died a few years ago." Tayo bluntly stated with bitter. I flinched at this and Yamika's eyes grew a certain kind of sorrow. "She was a ninja back at our old village. One day she had an important mission and was killed. We had her buried in her home village but moved here... Aiko was visiting her grave, it was Aiko's birthday wish."

"And we were worried for Aiko's safety. We never got a real explanation as to why Saiya was killed, so we sent a guard with, but Aiko told us what happened last night." Tayo finished up for his wife. I looked down, feeling even more guilt. I should have kept out of this. "I-I'm sorry." "Don't be!" Yamika said with a new found smile. "You got Aiko back to us. We heard about the attack as well and I-... I don't know what we would have done if you weren't there." I returned her smile but most of it was fake. Though, this new found information has me thinking, Saiya was killed for a reason, right? Then perhaps those Ninja were after Aiko for a reason? Maybe a grudge.

"Excuse me, can I use your bathroom?" I asked, needing a moment to myself. Yamika pointed down the hall. "Thank you." I thanked her and walked to the bathroom silently, trying to ignore the bickering between Tayo and his wife now that I was out of the room. I sighed and closed the bathroom door quietly. I probably shouldn't have asked any of that, but curiosity always swarms my mind. I laughed dryly to myself. No wonder Kieo calls me Kitten, I really am curious like one. I stepped over by the bathroom sink, running the water and splashing it on to my face. It felt refreshing, not to mention cooling. I looked down at my side to see I still had my ninja pouches and everything from yesterday.

Yesterday... I felt a certain emotion embrace me. It felt like awe, yet so full of sorrow. I've never killed anyone before even as a Chunin. I've always despised death due to the young memories of Gaara's wrath and hatred of others that led to so many unnecessary deaths. I shook my head, trying to erase these thoughts. What's done is done. It was me or Heriko. Thankfully for myself, it ended up being Heriko. 

A loud clattering gained my attention. "LIKE I'D TELL YOU-GAHHH-!!" "AH! TAYO!!?" I ran out of the bathroom hearing the screaming and back to where Aiko's parents were. My eyes narrowed at the scene. A guy, a few years older than me with murky colored hair and glasses, stood over a seemingly knocked out Tayo. Another man, at least in his thirties was by the table that was now knocked over. He had dark brown hair that parted to the left. Yamika cowered under him, looking terrified. "Ugh, Konoha scum." The older man spat out, his eyes going over me. "Atsume, take care of this. I'm going to look for the girl." The words made Yamika snap. "NO! LEAVE HER BE!" She yelled at him, trying to hit him with a feeble punch.

The man rolled his eyes and went to slap her away when I flash stepped in front of him, catching his hand and sending a swift kick his way. He skidded back, easily regaining composure. "Sensei. Do you think this is the girl who... killed Heriko?" Atsume asked with a hesitant tone. The Sensei examined me with some interest. "Are you?" I took out needles, keeping them in between my knuckles. "I might be." The Sensei let out a startlingly laugh that made Atsumi flinch. "In that case, Heriko deserves to be dead. To be killed by this little girl, hah." I felt anger in me start to boil. To talk about your student as if he meant nothing... Even if it was a bastard like Heriko.

"Atsume. You know what to do." The Sensei suddenly disappeared from sight, no doubt going to look for Aiko. I ran ahead to follow for him when Atsume jumped in front of me with a kunai in his hand. "I'm sorry about this." He murmured before slashing out at me. I narrowly dodged and hopped back, closer to the front door now. I met eyes with Yamika and traced down to her husband, silently telling her to tend to him. She nodded and followed my orders. I continued tracing my eyes to the dark eyes of Atsume. "You.. You don't seem like a bad person. Your Sensei is hunting down an innocent girl... You wouldn't want her to be harmed right?" Atsume looked away before looking back at me. "It's not the girl we want. It's the necklace around her neck. Her sister stole it from the village... It's very valuable." 

Everything seemed to be coming together. Aiko's sister was killed because of the necklace she stole, that necklace went to Aiko, when her family moved the Mist Ninja lost tract of it, but when Aiko visited her sister's grave it came to surface again. "I see... Then I can get the necklac-" "No! That necklace was Aiko's last gift from Saiya!" Yamika cried. Atsume shook his head. "It doesn't matter anyway. The Mist doesn't take kindly to thieves." 

With that he jumped at me, swinging the kunai. I jumped back, dodging again. With simple concentration, chakra flamed up around me. Atsume's eyes stayed focus as he jumped back performing hand signs. "Water Style: Sword of Draining!" In Atsume's hand, water formed and created a sword. No doubt, if the sword touched me I'd be harmed as if it was a real sword, despite it being made of water. He lurched at me, but I moved off to the side, aiming a needle at his leg. He moved the sword just in time to block it, the needle slowed by the water and dropped through the other side with hardly any momentum.

Atsume sent a high kick my way which I blocked with my arms. He pulled his leg back when I grabbed on it, tugging him close and sending a punch to his face. He flew back in to a wall, that made Yamika 'epp' and Tayo groan as he started to wake up. 

Atsume regained himself and flung the sword at me to which I moved to the right, beginning to preform summoning hand signs. "Summoning Jutsu!" A puff of smoke cleared revealing the mighty Ryu. "Keep the Mist Ninja from coming after me or harming them." I pointed to Aiko's parents making Ryu get in to a serious mood, not questioning anything. "Yes." I ran out of the house making Atsume follow. "You can't-Gwah!!" He cried out as Ryu jumped at him, sinking his teeth in to his leg. "Hmp!" I heard Ryu thump on the floor, probably getting kicked away, but I couldn't stop to help him. It's Ryu, he'd be fine. Right now I need to get to Aiko.

Deep blue chakra still coaxed me. I focused more of it to my hearing senses and closed my eyes. Concentrate Akisha. Concentrate.

"Leave her alone!!" 

My eyes snapped open. "There." I raced over to the yelling, and found myself being covered in more trees rather than going near the water. I came across to a smaller clearing. Aiko was cowering behind a boy, older than her but much younger than myself with spiky hair. The boy was glaring up at the Sensei who seemed quite unamused. "Back off or die, kid." The Sensei said, giving him two options. The boy never once broke his glare or even twitched to the side. The Sensei gave out a hopeless sigh. "Your choice." The Sensei made hand signs as I started too. I jumped out in front of the two children, releasing my jutsu, the same time as the Sensei.

"LIGHTNING STYLE: LIGHTNING HOUND!!"

"WIND STYLE: WIND BLADE!!"

An electrical hound that sparked with the lightning ran at us. My jutsu, Wind Blade, was just strong enough to hit the hound and scatter the lightning. I turned quickly, grabbing the boy and Aiko and darted off to the side, as to avoid the lightning scatters. "GUWAAH!!" I glanced back to see the Sensei holding his smoking shoulder, blood dripping from around his fingers. I smirked, the lightning must have hit him. Ah, I love it when a jutsu back fires on my opponents. "Kish!" Aiko yelled with such round, thankful eyes. She hugged onto me and I couldn't help but let her and make my chakra around me dim out.

"Aiko, the necklace Saiya gave you. Where is it?" I asked, sparing no time. Aiko released me and tugged a jewel from around her neck. "Why do you want it?" I pointed to the Mist Ninja. "It's what they're after. If you give it to hi-" "NO!" Aiko stepped back behind the boy. "It's the last thing she gave me..."  The boy glared, pointing at me. "Who's side are you on!?" My eye twitched at the dumb accusation. "You remind me of a certain blonde idiot I know." The boy's eyes widen with happiness. "You mean Naruto!? You know Naruto-" "I hate to break this up, but I need that." I froze in my place. Shit. 

"UGH!" A kick sent my flying in to a nearby tree. I fell to the floor with a muffled thud. "Ow, crap, my back.." I groaned out, just seeing some blood drip down besides me. "WAH! INARI! AKISHA!!" I hopped up to my feet, ignoring my pain. "Aiko!" I ran back over to the spot, seeing Inari passed out by a tree. Must have gotten kicked like myself. Aiko was under the Mist Ninja's foot. "Give. It. Here." The ninja narrowed his eyes and pressed down harder on her. I threw several needles at him and performed hand signs to back it up. "Wind Style: Wind Gale!" As the wind flew ahead, it not only increased the needles, but knocked the Ninja off balance, freeing Aiko.

Needles stuck out of the Sensei's arm letting some blood drip down. He sent me a fierce look. "You bitch." He growled out, getting pissed off at an alarming rate. He darted over to me. "Stop getting in my way!" I avoided his punch and jumped back, which made me seemingly fall in line with his plan. "Lightning Style: Lightning Fang!!" He yelled out, completing hand signs. The Ninja sent an electrical essence in the clouds.

"Oh fuck!" I swore trying to jump away again when lightning struck back down, hitting the tree behind me. "UAA!" I yelled, feeling the branches fall over and dig in my side. The pain had me shaking, and I squeezed one of my eyes shut, biting my lip. I'm running low on chakra... And... I opened my eyes both normally, looking down. I winced at the sight. Two branches pierced my side coming out of the other end. I let out a small whine as I snapped the branches and pulled them through at a fast pace. I needed to hurry...

The Sensei had a kunai in hand, ready to strike Aiko when I ran back over. It's clear, only way to get this ninja away from her will be to end his life. Using surprise as an element I silently threw needles at him connected with chakra strings. The needles pierced him making him express his confusion by yelling out. 

I tugged the strings back, making the ninja fling towards me. I whipped out three more needles, charging them up with chakra and as the ninja flew this way I met him halfway, jabbing out the needles with a certain finesse. The needles were aimed right for his heart. I grimaced, the needles plunged right on target. The feeling of sliding the needles in his chest, knowing I was taking away his life, sent shivers down my spine.

The now dead ninja fell down to his knees. Blood pouring from his mouth. Eyes who's shine was now forever lost. I grabbed my needles, pressing my foot on his chest to help myself pry them out and kick him over. "A-akisha?" Aiko's tiny voice squeaked over to me. I turned to her with small racing pants. "Aiko, you alright?" She nodded once. "How's Inari?" She nodded once again, signaling he was alright. "That's good..." I breathed out. "A... Are we saf-" I stopped her. "Yeah. You're safe now."

***** 

"I'm sorry about your house again." I chuckled with some nervous humor hiding my pain, Yamika rebandaging was my side. "Oh it's not your fault! I'm so thankful you were here for Aiko! We can never repay you for what you've done." I shook my head. "Ah, just hearing that makes it worth i-AH DAMN! UH!!" I swore loudly, the tight bandaging bringing me some terrible discomfort. Aiko giggled. " Oooo! You swore!" Tayo, who's head was bandaged up still, whacked Aiko lightly on the head. "Hush! You didn't hear anything." A fun tease to his voice that made Aiko giggle again. "So! Has Naruto ever mentioned me!? Hm!?" Inari questioned for the millionth time. I sighed at the annoying boy. "I don't know kid! Probably?" Inari fist pumped. "Awh yeah!!-" He cleared his throat suddenly. "I-I mean, that's cool. Not like I care about that dumb guy."

I rolled my eyes. "Mhm, sure." "There! Done!" Yamika stood, examine her work with a smile. I nodded a thanks to her and rolled back down my fishnet shirt. I grabbed my deep blue hoodie as well, putting it on and zipping it half way up. "Are you sure you won't stay? These people have offered their home again to you." Ryu stated quietly, sitting well mannered by me the entire time. Apparently he tore up the Mist Ninja pretty bad, got some damage of his own, but was strong enough to send the Mist Ninja running. 

Although judging by the blood stains and how Ryu described it, Atsume didn't get very far, most likely died somewhere in the forest. "Yeah, that room is open for how ever long you need it!" Yamika voiced out cheerfully. I shook my head with a grateful smile. "Thank you, but no thanks. I need to head back home now." 

Early memories of that dream of Shikamaru swarmed my mind, they had been for the last few days I've rested here.

"Ryu you can go too. I'll have Joka carry me back, no worries, okay?" Ryu dipped his head down low. "If that's what you wish. I bid everyone a farewell." "Bye bye Ryu!" Yamika said right back to him. With the time that Ryu protected her, she seemed to have grown fond of him. "I'm going to be leaving now too." I announced standing up towards the door. "So soon?" Yamika asked, hiding some of her disappointment. "Yeah, someone dear to me is in need of help... I think..." Aiko raced over to me, hugging on tightly. "You can't leave yet!! ...Saiya." The last word was whispered. I bent down to her level, brushing off tears that hanged on her cheeks. "Aiko, I'm not your sister. Don't replace her with an idiot like me, okay?" My voice soft and caring. Aiko released even more tears, clinging on to me. "Don't leave yet... Akisha." I hugged back but stood after a few peaceful seconds, breaking off the hug. "No worries Aiko. We'll see each other again."

Aiko looked up to me, sniffling. "H-how do you know?" I smiled down at her. " I get the feeling. Don't forget me, okay?" I turned walking out the door. Aiko nodded vigorously, suppressing tears with Inari at her side. Her parents in the back of the house, smiling gently. "I won't!!" 

I smiled one last time before swinging the door shut. My smile slowly faded though. Pain throbbed from my side, by walking a few steps away from the house. I mustered up some chakra and performed the summoning jutsu. "What is you need Human-" Joka stopped mid-sentence. The smoke clearing away to reveal my battered body. "Akisha!? WHO DID THIS!? I'LL RIP THEM TO-" "It's alright Joka!" I put my hands up, trying to calm the panther. 

He narrowed his eyes, his tail twitching behind him. "...Fine." I chuckled at him, making him growl lowly. "Something funny?" I sweat dropped. "Uh nothing. Anyway, would it be a challenge for you to carry me back to Konoha?" I choose my words carefully, to ensure he'd accept the ''challenge''. Joka laughed loudly. "Of course not! Do I look like that weakling Hana?" I shook my head at him. "I'm so happy she's not here right now." I murmured. What I didn't need this moment was for a fight to break out between the two hotheaded felines. "Hop on, Human." I obeyed his orders and wrapped my legs around his back, tightening my fists around the hair at his neck. "Whoa Joka, your fur is so fluffier than I'd expect." Joka started jogging away from the Land of Waves. I could feel him huff. "If you weren't injured, I'd hurt you for saying that." I rolled my eyes. "Take it as a compliment."

I heard the rumble in his chest. "Calling me fluffy is not a compliment!" I didn't respond, instead I buried my head in to his fur. I was tired. It had been an exhausting mission, but I managed. "Joka?" "Hm?" " I killed two people. Got a third killed by Ryu most likely. Left one alone, abandoned." Joka picked up him pace and the wind whipped by us. "It happens. It was you or them." I sighed quietly. "I've never killed anyone before Joka." Joka stayed silent for a moment, thinking things through until responding. "Akisha, that's just the way of the ninja. You did a good thing, protected yourself and others without dying."

"Yeah I guess I did... I really have gotten the shit beat out of me before, haven't I?" Joka laughed. "Like the time you punched the Neji human in the face?" I sweat dropped at Joka's laugh. "I didn't know you knew about that." Joka continued chuckling. "Hey that took balls, Human." "Yes, but I'm a girl." "Tough shit for you." 

I laughed lightly at Joka's humor. He was surprisingly being rather kind to me but that had to be because of my state. "I've missed you." I whispered to his ears. It felt like forever since I last saw Joka when in reality it was a few days ago. "...I've missed you too. Go to sleep." He talked quietly. "Alright." I murmured back, half asleep already.

*****

"Human! Wake up, would you!?" I slowly opened my eyes, letting out a yawn. "Hm? Joka? What is i-HEY!" I shouted at him for rolling me off. Joka was on guard, looking ready to tear a head off. I jumped up, but realized my mistake in moving so fast when an ache pulsed from my side to the rest of my body. "Ugh, I feel worse, Joka. I don't think I should move." I looked around, pushing aside my want to whine. There was a rather plain building near by, Joka and I were on a dirt path, everything appeared cleared out besides the trees off in the distance. "Joka, what's the problem?" "The bitch doesn't even look in front of her. Hah!" An older voice claimed with humor. I looked up to see a silver haired man in front of me, his eyes a purple hue.

He grinned as our eyes met. Joka growled making the man laugh. "Oho, is the kitty scared?" His voice taunting and offensive to poor Joka. I gasped slightly seeing the man's cloak.

Akatsuki 

You have to be kidding me, I barely have strength to walk and now this? "Well since Kakuzu is taking forever, I might as well have some fucking fun." The Akatsuki member justified to himself, taking out his large scythe. "I have this." Joka growled out stepping in front of me. I shook my head going to respond when the Akatsuki member jumped at us. "HAH!! HAH!!" He let out a cackle just as the scythe hit the ground where Joka and I were. I groaned silently, placing my hands gently on the bandages wrapped around my side. "If I'm not careful I'll open the wound." My voice was just a light murmur. " GOT 'CHA!" 

I looked up in shock to see the Akatsuki member lurch at me. "Move!" Joka pushed me out of the wave, just evading the scythe. I landed on the ground hard, skidding back a few feet. "Ugh-Ah!" I interrupted my own groaning to jump off to the side with Joka, the Akatsuki member almost hitting me again. "This isn't any fun if you're just going to run like a rabbit." 

My eye twitched. "Oh jeez, sorry I'm not making your day any better." The Akatsuki member gave me a look. "You damn well should be." Oh if I had my strength at the moment. "But no worries, I'll make fucking do." I twisted around, surprise etched into my features. "When did you-!?" He had appeared behind me and laughed loudly as the kick he sent at me landed right on my damaged side. I fell way back around fifteen feet, blood spewing out of my mouth from biting my tongue when I landed, and larger amounts of blood spilling out of my side, leaking from the bandages. "Shit. Ah, Godda-" I cut myself off, knowing that cursing won't help me. I tried lifting myself up yet found I couldn't. "Akisha!" I could hear Joka yell over but my hearing started to turn off. 

I can't even move anymore.

***Joka's POV***

I saw the blood falling from Akisha's mouth as she laid motionless. "Akisha!" I yelled over, she responded by trailing her eyes over to me. I let out a tiny sigh of relief, she's alive. There's no way she's moving on her own though, she needs to stay down. I turned back to a cackling Akatsuki member that reeked of blood. "You bastard." I growled out, imagining myself ripping his insides out of his body. "Hehehehe! Man! Konoha's gotten really damn weak!" He choked out with his laughter. "I'LL KILL YOU!!" Blue chakra coaxed my body and I sprinted at the man, aiming to slash open his chest. 

He dodged to the side and swung his foot back, releasing when I passed him. My body was flung back but I caught myself, darting to the side of the man and clawing at his chest. "Damn, you're fucking lucky I only sacrifice humans to Lord Jashin." He mumbled, irritated as blood dripped from my claw marks. "Tell you what, after I kill you, I'll sacrifice girly over there." He smirked when my eyes narrowed at his sentence. I raced at him, evading several attacks from his three bladed scythe. I reached him, jumping up and digging my teeth in to the right side of his chest. This'll end his damn life, after all, I pierced his heart.

"Ow! Stupid cat!" He yelled out, knocking me off. I looked up in shock. Blood fell from my bite, but he's not.. Dead. Why the hell isn't he dead? I don't understand.

He grinned at my look, flash stepping behind me. "I've always hated cats anyway." I whipped my head around at him, not fast enough to even think about jumping away. My eyes flickered to Akisha, fear in her eyes as she struggled to crawl this way. 

My eyes flickered back to the man in the Akatsuki.

His scythe swung down. 

***Third Person POV***  

"J-JOKA!!?" Akisha's screaming was the loudest she's ever been in her entire life. Hidan laughed, kicking the dead panther aside. "Well that was somewhat entertaining." Hidan said to himself, feeling quite amused. He wiped the fresh blood on to the side of Joka. "N-No.." Akisha whimpered out, so many feelings in her that wanted to be expressed at once. Hidan turned back to her with a small disappointed sigh. "I really did want a longer fight, but you probably can't even move, can you?" He kicked Akisha, opening up her wounds even more. Akisha rolled a foot away, groaning, even more blood spilling out of her side. "Hehe, at least you're alive enough for me to sacrifice your ass." 

Akisha's eyes started to flicker close. The blood lost was becoming to great to try to stay awake.

"Akisha!!" A voice yelled out making her take one last sight.

"S-shikamaru?"

*****

Heh... Nice chapter?... *dodges behind couch* 

Now, some of you might be wondering, 'Is Joka really dead?' Well... I'm sad to say but the Joka Hyo, the hotheaded panther you all came to love or at least like, is dead ;-; 

Follow/fan, vote, comment!! 

Mourn for Joka  ;~;