Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hinata's Secret Life ❯ Anya and Shuri ( Chapter 33 )

The day was starting out hot and muggy, yet quickly the sun had dried the air making it sniffling hot. A set of weary travelers had begun to walk into Konoha anxious to give the news of their travels. Along the way our favorite Akatsuki members had ran into another couple traveling to Konoha and after introductions were made, began to travel together but moving at a slower then normal pace.

 

The group had made it in the doors where they were stopped by a set of Chounin doing gate checks. Once they were quickly recognized and stated their business they were informed that the Hokage was in the stadium judging a fight between Kakashi and Gai.

 

“So today is the fight for team leader” Itachi told the group as they made their way to the stadium.

 

“What exactly do you mean Itachi” Anya asked not sure why two Jounin's, elite Jounin's at that, would fight to be team leader.

 

“What he means is” said the other male in the party “Kakashi had gone back to ANBU after Team Seven broke up, and he hasn't picked up another Genin Team since. Gai has been waiting until his grandson Daiki was of age, before he took another team because he wanted him on his team. Normally this isn't a problem but no one can deny how great Ramen, Shuri, and Daiki work together, so it was decided that after graduation they would be on the same Genin Team.”

 

“So since Gai was waiting for Daiki and he's going to graduate why is Kakashi involved?” Anya asked wondering if it was just another display of men wanting to prove their worth. Nothing annoyed her more than men fighting like they belonged in the caveman era over stupid stuff.

 

“The problem is” the man continued “is that until this year no one in Konoha had known Ramen Uzumaki existed? His father, Naruto, was a Genin on Kakashi's Team when he was younger along with Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha and since then they had worked together many times during ANBU missions. In a way Kakashi is like family to the Uzumaki family, and he wants to train the trio. Just like when Yuki and Mizuki grow up Kakashi will want to be the leader of their Genin Team also.”

 

“Alright I know Yuki is Itachi's daughter but who is Mizuki?” Anya asked as they began to head into the stadium. “And why is it so great to have Kakashi as a teacher?”

 

“Mizuki Uzumaki is basically my niece” Itachi explained “she was the newborn that Rin was trying to give to the Akatsuki. Yuki Uchiha is my daughter, which you know, and as such will come to possess the sharringan. Hatake Kakashi is the only person outside of the Uchiha family to own a sharringan and has over a thousand jutsu's memorized. What better person then someone with a sharringan to teach an Uchiha.”

 

“I can understand that but what advantage will Kakashi have teaching Shuri over Gai?” Anya asked still beginning to think this was pointless. Yes he wanted to teach other generations but Gai has been waiting for a long time to teach the child he considered his grandson.

 

“Do you remember the green spandex Gai wears” Itachi asked with a shudder. “That is what Gai would have them wear as a uniform for the most part.”

 

Getting an image of Shuri, Ramen and Daiki in green spandex, following Gai around spouting about the FLAMES OF YOUTH, brought a shudder through the group. “Dear God please let Kakashi win.” Anya had said as they she spotted Shino talking to a couple holding a baby with a fox playing with another baby around them. Heading his way the group soon broke up as Itachi saw Malina holding a smiling Yuki in her lap, who was reaching out to play with said fox.

 

Standing behind Shino, Anya wrapped her arms around her husbands' waist placing her head between his shoulder blades. “Honey I'm home” Anya said softly breathing in the scent that was entirely Shino. Grabbing his wife Shino turned Anya around to meet the people he was talking to.

 

“Anya I would like to officially introduce you to Naruto and Hinata Uzumaki. They are the parents of Ramen, whom you've met and the little girl they are holding is Mizuki. Hinata here is the one who helped you in the hospital and Naruto here is part of ANBU.” Shino explained to Anya not sure what she knew from the last year.

 

“Pleasure” Anya said shaving hands with both the both of them. She couldn't help but like them they had such open, honest smiles. Looking at Mizuki, Anya couldn't help but smile either; she was already looking to be a very beautiful girl. Looking to Hinata, Anya said “I can't thank you enough for the help you gave me and my family when we needed it. How can I ever repay you?”

 

“Think nothing of it” Hinata said brushing off the thought of being repaid. “Shino was a teammate of mine for years and just about family. If anything you should know the Uzumaki's do anything for family.” Anya could only nod at the truth she heard ringing in those words.

 

“Thank you all for being here” the powerful voice of Tsunade declared. “This is the battle of Gai Maito and Kakashi Hayate to be the leader of the Genin Team soon to be consisted of Ramen, Shuri and Daiki. Is there anything that needs to be addressed before we being?”

 

“I would like to say something” the man that had traveled with Itachi and Anya said. “If Gai wins he must promise me that he will not place a green spandex outfit anywhere near my nephew, under pain of death by me. And I will promise you it will be painful.”

 

Tsunade turned to see who was addressing the group looked mad until she saw who it was, then could only break out in a smile. “Glad you could make it Gaara, Hanabi. Meet me in my office after the tournament.” Tsunade included her at seeing her stand next to the Kazekage. “I think that is a safe enough condition I was going to include myself, now that that is out of the way any other things that need to be addressed?” Silence engulfed the stadium as Tsunade brought up her hands and said “Bring out the candidates and so help me if you're late Kakashi you forfeit.”

 

At Tsunade's command the gates opened to reveal no one. Before Tsunade could begin yelling though a gust of wind carrying leaves came through the stadium only to begin to spiral in the middle of the stadium taking shape. A few moments later, the shape was recognized as Kakashi with his nose in his book. Raising his hand with an informal “yo” he continued to wait for his rival. Gai popped in moments later using his “Dynamic Entry” complete with Good Guy Pose. “I have shown Rival Kakashi. Now let this match begins.”

 

“Hn. Did you say something?” Kakashi asked the large man in spandex.

 

“That's harsh Kakashi” Gai said with his spirits dampened, but unfortunately his confidence was not gone. Standing up and brushing himself off Gai continued “Lets show these people the SPRINGTIME OF OUR YOUTH! I shall defeat you my Eternal Rival!”

 

“YOSH! Great speech Gai-Sensei!” Lee yelled from the stands where he was clapping his hands with tears in his eyes, while jumping up and down next to an irritably pregnant Kaede. Not wanting to be seen with her husband that the moment Kaede stood up and walked the two bleachers over to sit by Hinata. Not that she was against the `SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH' she was just irate at anything wearing green spandex today.

 

When Kaede had sat down Hinata asked her friend “is everything alright Kaede?”

 

“I had forgotten how coddling those two are” Kaede said motioning towards Lee and Gai “when I'm pregnant. They keep forgetting I can kill a many at least fifty different ways, and that I am a member of ANBU. Most people would get that but noooo, not them. Instead they act like I can't even go to the store without a bodyguard and that I am made of glass and will break with one big gust of wind. Then I realized this child only likes to kick when it hears Lee or Gai talk about the `SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH'. Do you realize how many times I have heard that in the last week coming to this fight? Lee and Gai have been practicing like crazy for this event and I'm tired of hearing about it. I'm tired and irritable and those two aren't helping.”

 

“Come and stay sitting with us then” Hinata told her friend “I can guarantee we will not be sprouting anything about the `SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH' over here, although I can't say the same for your husband.” Hinata motioned towards Lee who was still jumping and cheering for Gai, hardly containing his excitement.

 

On the stadium floor before the two were fighting pretty evenly with Gai using Tai jutsu and Kakashi using Nin jutsu until Gai brought out his nunchakus and began to twirl them around. Kakashi seeing Gai with his weapon drew out his sword as the two began sparring. The sad thing was even from the stands you could see that Kakashi was going to win especially since he drew fire into his blade burning the nunchakus every time the two touched. It wasn't long before Kakashi had Gai beaten. With Kakashi declared winner the groups soon separated with Hinata carrying Mizuki up to see Gaara and Hanabi.

 

“So who is this Hinata?” Gaara asked with his eyebrow raised at the young baby.

 

“This is Mizuki Megumi Uzumaki, the newest member of the family, and finally one of the kids looks something like me.” Hinata said with a smile. “It's a little unnerving how much Ramen looked like Naruto so I was glad Mizu-chan here looks like me for the most part.”

 

“Can I hold her?” Gaara asked, unsure about Hinata's reaction since the only baby he ever held was Yuki.

 

“Sure” Hinata said gently passing Mizuki over to a smiling Gaara. Careful of his hand placements Gaara soon looked like he was in a peaceful daze looking at the smiling baby. “Glad you guys could make it back, Hanabi here is needed to tie up some loose Hyuuga ends.” Looking at her sisters face Hinata noticed a small smile on it and how she was standing awfully close to Gaara and decided to pick on her. “Hanabi are you smiling?”

 

“Maybe” Hanabi said trying to keep the smile off of her face but failing miserably. “I will tell you when I tell everyone else in the Hokage's office. Knowing Hokage-sama though we should hurry up and get there, I don't want her mad at me. Her temper is legendary.”

 

Hanabi was right Tsunade's temper was legendary but luckily for the citizens of Konoha Tsunade had discovered the love of grandchildren and rarely let her famous temper go. Now that's not to say that some things didn't completely escape her wrath, but also luckily the other cause of her famous temper Jiraiya had left two years ago and hasn't returned yet.

 

“Now first off Itachi and Anya” Tsunade began once everyone was in her office. “I wasn't expecting you to return yet so for the chance we need to prepare for war. What is going on?”

 

“Hokage-sama” Itachi started not moving from his position of sitting by Malina holding Yuki. “On our way to base we were attacked by the remaining members of the Akatsuki and a group of missing nins.” Not mentioning at all his bet with Anya, he figured Tsunade really didn't need that piece of information. “We ended up killing all of them but lost track of Leader-sama. As of right now you are looking at the last two surviving members of the Akatsuki. On the way here we ran into Kazekage-sama and Hanabi Hyuuga along the way.”

 

“Alright then we shall have some ANBU squads search for Leader-sama while you guys take a break. I seem to remember the Academy graduation is next week, and I am sure both of you will want to be there. Now Hanabi the reason we called you back to Konoha is because of the death of Rin Hyuuga, former head of the clan. With her dead that leaved you heir, unless a suitable guardian can be found. Since this has to do with your clan, what are your intentions?”

 

“Hokage-sama it would be a pleasure to be heir again, but I fear I must decline the job. I have found something much better in Suna then I had here in Konoha. As for a suitable guardian for Hiro I would like to propose Neji Hyuuga. He will keep Hiro on the straight and narrow and will work to close the gap between the main and branch family as Hinata has started.” Hanabi explained to the Hokage with a deep bow, giving in to the manners that had been drilled into her for years.

 

“May I ask what you have found in Suna that isn't in Konoha?” Tsunade asked resting her chin on her hands.

 

“Earlier this week I agreed to marry Gaara, Kazekage of the Sand. We all know the Kazekage can only be found in Suna and not Konoha.” Hanabi said with a genuine smile on her face, moving slightly to reveal Gaara making faces at a laughing Mizuki.

 

“Congratulations Hanabi on your engagement” Tsunade said taking in the smiling and laughing Kazekage. She was alright until she seen who Gaara was holding. “Gaara are you holding Mizu-chan?”

 

“Yes, Tsunade-sama I am” Gaara said blowing raspberries on Mizu-chan's belly.

 

“Can I have her please I haven't gotten to hold her today?” Tsunade asked with a hopefully smile on her face.

 

Gaara gave Tsunade one of his cold patent stare “No you may not. This is the first time I have seen my niece. You can wait.”

 

Tsunade was about to open her mouth to yell at the man but then stopped herself. She remembered Gaara had every right to see her as much as she did, but mostly she didn't let her temper get the better of her because she didn't want to start a war between their villages. Lucky for Gaara he was the Kazekage or else he would be picking himself off of the wall by Tsunade's punch.

 

“Now Tsunade-sama” Shizune said “you just want to hold Mizu-chan so you don't have to do paperwork. I see through your ploys and don't think I don't know about the bottle of sake hidden in your drawer either.”

 

“Fine, fine Shizune you win. You all are dismissed.” Tsunade informed the group “I want the reports on my desk tomorrow Itachi, Anya.” Giving a longing look at Gaara holding Mizuki as they walked out the door Tsunade sighed knowing her last chance to ditch her paperwork for the day was over. Gripping her pen Tsunade began the paperwork.

 

“Gaara I'm so happy for you two” Hinata said as she went and hugged her unofficial `brother' and Hanabi into a hug. I never thought this would happen but I am glad it did. Are you guys going to stay with us tonight, and please tell me you will be here for the graduation ceremony?” Hinata and Naruto happily led the couple to their house after getting confirmations. “Just wait until Ramen's sees your back, Gaara he will have a hay day.”

 

Malina led a joyful Itachi home when Yuki decided to say her first word then `dada', bringing tears to his eyes. Malina could only look on and smile while putting a hand on her bulging belly. Between her and Sakura the Uchiha's were re-populating the clan nicely.

 

Kaede went home to a nice and quite house as Lee took Gai out to soothe his feeling after losing to his `eternal rival'. Walking into the house savoring the silence, Kaede went to take a nap knowing that when Daiki gets home, chaos will resume again. Kaede was severely hoping that a nap will cure her irritability.

 

Shino and Anya went home to allow Anya to take a shower. Since she was officially back they discussed re-introducing Anya to Shuri, when Anya had the idea to pick her up from school. Thinking it was a good idea, Shino began dinner as Anya walked to the school after leaving her cloak recognizing her as an Akatsuki member at home and grabbed her old light green jacket instead.

 

Waiting for Shuri was one of the hardest things Anya had ever done and no matter how she tried she couldn't come up with a suitable way to approach her daughter. `Do I hug her? Do I just say hi I am your mother? What if she hates me? What do I do? What if she doesn't allow me to be in her life?' all of these insecurities kept running in Anya's mind. `I can kill people without blinking an eye and my own daughter scares the hell out of me.' So deep in her thoughts Anya didn't notice that the bell had already rang and people were leaving until the person of her thoughts were right in front of her.

 

“Mom” a voice asked tentatively breaking Anya out of her thought. Looking up Anya looked into the face of her daughter.

 

“Shuri” Anya said looking at her daughter. She was still unsure of what she was going to say and everything when the next thing she knew Shuri had thrown herself in Anya's arms giving her a hug.

 

“Welcome home” Shuri said into her mothers shoulder. The only thing Anya could do was hold Shuri into a hug as she began to cry. While it may not have been any of the thoughts that Anya was thinking of it worked for them.

 

Once they had broken apart Anya asked “You're not mad at me?”

 

“I'm more annoyed but then Ramen told me something interesting the other day. When he met his dad for the first time they had fought a few times before he had realized who he was. At least with me I knew who you were right away, and Dad never denied it. Thinking rationally about it though, I figured there was a reason we had to think you were dead when you really weren't. As they said in school in order to fool your enemy you must first fool your family and friends. From all that Dad has told me of you over the years, I figured if you could help it you would be here with us.” Shuri explained her reasoning to her mom.

 

“Where did you learn to think like that? When I was your age I would have been in a crying fit.” Anya asked wondering what other quirks of her daughter's personality she missed.

 

“Dad” Shuri answered to Anya's question. “Dad always said look `underneath the underneath' not everything is as it seems. In order to do that you have to look at all sides and take in the evidence and not jump to conclusions.”

 

“That's a good way to look at it.” Anya said before putting it to the back of her mind to ask Shino later. “So what do you want to do?”

 

“Let's go home. I have to practice for the test next Friday. I think we are getting together with Ramen and Daiki to practice tomorrow, but I am not sure where we are yet.” Shuri mentioned on their way home.

 

“How about we have them over at our house” Anya said wanting to get to know her daughter better. “This way I can get to know your friends, and give Hinata and Kaede a break.”

 

Smiling softly, glad that her glasses were covering her eyes from betraying the tears that threatened to fall Shuri said “That would be nice”. No longer feeling as if her mother would leave Shuri hesitantly grabbed her mothers' hand to hold it as she always wanted.

 

Feeling Shuri's hand in her Anya smiled brightly, as they walked home. It will take them awhile to build a relationship that they should have had. But Anya was confident that they would make it there, and it would definitely be worth the battle.