Mysterious Kunoichi (Part 1 of 2 in the MK Series)

Alone

"Naruto?" I was almost scared to ask.

"The Sound nin we're working with the Sand. The Sand was made to believe their Kage was still alive, when in fact, it was Orochimaru all along. Naruto had to face Gaara, the one tailed host. Naruto won."

"Thank Kami."

"I'm going to head back to get Naruto. He's going to travel with me to find Tsunade. Why don't you go with us?"

"No." I shook my head, "I would like to see Naruto though. Where is your first stop?"

"We're stopping here first. I should return in a few days with him. But..."

"But what?"

"Kakashi, he's in a coma."

"How-"

"Itachi. The Akatsuki are searching for the tailed beasts."

"Son of a bitch." I gritted.

"Tsunade will be able to heal him, it's another reason we're looking for her."

"Another? They're wanting her to be Hokage?"

"Yes."

"You declined, didn't you?"

"You know me all too well."

We shared a quiet moment as we drank more.

"You should see him." He broke the silence.

"Who?"

"You're holding the crest." He pointed to my necklace that I was, indeed clutching.

"Why do you always say that?"

"He miss-"

"How do you know?" I snapped.

"He asks about you." He shrugged.

I snorted.

"All I'm saying is, it wouldn't hurt to go home. You can start taking missions for the village again. See old friends."

"Old friends? The only friends I had are dead, or left the village."

He quirked a brow.

"Shisui, Itachi and Asuma. I suppose Gai would be considered my friend. Maybe Kurenai."

"Asuma returned. And I'm sure you could count Kakashi."

I looked away.

"You're too young to be a wandering traveler like me."

"You sent me off on my own." I pointed out as I looked back to him.

"Think about it."

That night I tossed and turned. I'd been gone for almost five years now. Was it time? I wasn't sure.

______________ TIME SKIP _____________

Three days had passed and I was headed to the inn. I felt a familiar chakra close by that stopped me dead in my tracks. Itachi. I vanished in a flash of lightening.

"Why are you here?" I demanded.

Two cloaked figures stood before me in the forest. They both turned slowly. The larger man gripped the sword on his back.

"Kisame Hoshigaki." I stated, "Itachi Uchiha."

"You've heard of me?" Kisame asked, seeming excited.

"Zabuza spoke of you."

"You're The Archer?" He eyed me curiously.

I merely nodded.

"You know her Itachi?" Kisame turned to his partner.

"She's from the Leaf."

"Is she a threat?"

Itachi and Kisame both took in my appearance now. My cloak was only on my left side, exposing my right side completely. I wore shoes now, instead of boots. I wore black shorts, stopping on my upper thigh. My right leg was wrapped to my lower thigh, kunai pouch attached to it. They couldn't see that my left thigh was bare. My shirt remained the same f/c, and still ending just above my belly button. My h/c hair was pulled into a high ponytail.

"No. She means us no harm." Itachi answered in a monotone voice. He sounded so distant.

"Why, Itachi?" He's grown.

"I don't have time for you questions, y/n-sama." I couldn't help but smile gently at him still using honorifics, "I do have something for you though."

He walked closer to me. Though I knew he could tell I was on edge, I didn't make a move to show it. He stood in front of me now, only a couple of feet away. He reached into his cloak, pulling a scroll from inside. As he handed it to me, his cold, dark eyes never left my e/c ones.

"You should avoid running into the Akatsuki."

I took the scroll from him slowly, "Why?"

"You'd be an asset."

"I would never join-"

"They wouldn't ask."

"You've grown Itachi. Into a handsome young man. I don't know why you did it, but I know there's more to it than what you told Sasuke."

"All in due time."

"Good bye, Itachi-kun."

"Good-bye, y/n-sama."

He and Kisame disappeared deep into the woods as I made my way to the inn. I found part of the inn torn apart.

"What happened?" I asked Jirayia as he exited his room.

"Itachi. Him and Kisame Hoshigaki found Naruto. Then Sasuke showed up. They're lucky I was here."

"Are they okay?"

"Gai arrived and took Sasuke to the hospital. Another patient for Tsunade. Naruto is fine."

"Pervy Sage! Who are you -"

Naruto had swung the door open, yelling at Pervy Sage, but stopped mid sentence seeing me. I couldn't help the loud fit of laughter that came from me.

"Oh man!" I wheezed, "that's perfect!" I had tears in the corners of my eyes, I was laughing so hard.

Jirayia was blushing, mumbling about respecting your elders.

"Do I know you?"

Once I collected myself, I smiled down at the blonde bundle of energy, "It's been a while since you've seen me. I think you were seven or eight at the time."

"Y-y/n-san?!" He exclaimed.

He plowed into me, engulfing me into a hug.

I ruffled his hair and looked down at him. He looks like his father.

That night I spent with Naruto and Jirayia. Listening to Naruto's stories about Team 7. Sakura. Sasuke. Kakashi-Sensei. Ha! He even told me about Zabuza and Haku, and the bridge builder.

"Now that I think of it, I think Zabuza mentioned you to Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto scratched the back of his head.

"Oh?" What in Kami's name would he have said?

"Yea. He said, 'she'll come home'. Sensei was confused and asked him who he was talking about, all Zabuza said was, 'Archer'. Sensei never said anything about it, but that's you, isn't it? The Archer?"

I looked down at the table in thought.

"Yes, it is."

After Naruto finally fell asleep, Jirayia took time to fill me in on all the politics of the Leaf. The Chunin exams, the Nara boy was the only one promoted. The Akatsuki, also telling me to avoid them. He ended the evening with telling me to return home.

"Soon. I'll return home soon."