"Are you the ninja team we hired from Konoha?" A nondescript guard asked, barring them entry from the small village, "I swear we paid enough for a B-rank but..." He trailed off, glancing at the group. They were all kids, one was in a weird jumpsuit, and there was a tiny blonde girl with them.

"You did and we have treated it as such," The oldest of the team responded, chewing on a senbon, "We have three chuunin and a jounin on this team." He answered handing over the mission scroll.

"I see," The civilian didn't seem very convinced but let them in regardless, "The inn is on the left of the street, please make yourselves welcome."

"Thank you very much!" Gai all but shouted, striding straight through the gates.

"Ah, Gai, wait up!" Genma rushed after him, aware that his teammate wasn't exactly normal. Miyu sighed and trailed after them, Iruka following behind. The two had at least waited at the inn, most likely unsure of how their sleeping arrangements should go.

"A single room will do." Miyu stated, as she walked up to the blushing receptionists that kept shooting their bandana wearing teammate bashful looks.

"A-are, you sure?" she stuttered out, obviously flustered.

"Yeah." Miyu dropped a few ryo on the counter and collected the room key, leading the three males up to their room.

"She is truly enjoying her spring of youth," Gai noted sounding wise, "Another woman attracted by your flames of youth Genma."

"I'm telling you it has nothing to do with being 'youthful'," Genma replied as he surveyed their room, "You sure you'll be okay with rooming with us Miyu-chan?"

"Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?" She asked raising a brow.

"I guess not." He answered with a grin that made Iruka bristle beside her. She shrugged and walked to the window, opening it and allowing a red fox entry to their room.

"Ah, Kurama! I was wondering where your companion had gone!" the taijutsu expert gave the creature a firm pat as it passed him. Miyu knelt by her partner allowing him easier access to his favourite perch.

"Kurama's located the targets' base so if we're lucky we'll be back home before the week is over." Miyu announced as the fox draped itself around her shoulders.

"That was fast." Genma gave a low whistle of appreciation, "I was expecting to be scouting around for the day."

"You can still do that it you want," The blonde pulled out the mission scroll and checked over the details, "Apparently there weren't as many ninja at the base then we expected, which means their either hanging around the area or hiding out somewhere else.''

"What would you like us to do then?" Iruka asked, setting down his knapsack. The other two shinobi turned to show they were also listening to her words.

"You'll take Kurama and secure the base. There's only," the fox shifted on her shoulders, "Three chuunin stationed on guard and a handful of hostages. Gai, Genma, we'll be scouting the village, the leader is probably out with his cronies getting drunk in some bar. Iruka did you bring those seals?"

"Yeah," The scarred chuunin brought out four slips of marked paper, handing one to each of his teammates and keeping one to himself.

"What's this for?" Genma asked, scrutinizing the inky patterns. It was completely unfamiliar to him, regardless of how many seals he had used on the field.

"Oh, it's a communication seal," Iruka explained, "Well kind of. Each of us needs to push a small amount of chakra into each seal and later when you're in trouble you can reactivate your tag. Basically it works as a signal flare, one that won't be noticed by anyone but us."

"Hmm, that's rather ingenious," Gai said after a moment of thoughtfulness, "How will the tags alert us?"

"They'll heat up," Iruka answered pointing at the abstract simple for fire weaved into the design, "And the chakra of whoever's in trouble will stand out."

"Interesting, where'd you find something this neat?" Genma asked, watching as the younger boy's cheeks darkened.

"He made them," Miyu voiced a grin blooming on her face, "Now come on, we've got work to do. Maybe when we're done Iruka will enlighten you with his other experiments."

"Hai!" Her team chorused, shifting back into a more serious mindset.

Miyu fiddled with her blade as she waited on the roof of a bar for her targets to emerge. She had been right, of course, as the bandits had squandered the day in a dim lit bar with the barkeep and his waitress as the only civilians inside.

''Alcohol is an interesting substance,'' Kurama commented as the first few criminals stumbled out, ''I am not too partial to it myself,'' Miyu vaguely wondered if demons could even get drunk. A light tap to her shoulder told her that all the men were out and she signalled for her comrade to approach. With a few quick hand signals she jumped from the rooftop, bringing her blade down on the unfortunate soul beneath her. He collapsed instantly and before the sound of his body hitting the ground could alert his friends, two more had been taken out by a jumpsuit wearing shinobi.

"Wha!?" The drunken slur from one of the men was followed by the feeble attempts to draw their weapons. Miyu could only scoff as her own swift blade downed even more foes.

Gai followed her orders perfectly in her opinion. He was silent ad efficient in dispatching his enemies as she had asked, no flashy moves or loud shouting involved, the perfect example on a ninja.

"I think that's all of them." Gai announced after sweeping the last man still standing and smashing his head into the ground, effectively knocking him out.

"Good job." Miyu praised as she pulled out a length of rope, "Now help me transport them."

"Where to?" Gai hefted two men over his shoulder while his other arm was left to drag a group of four that had been trussed up.

"Their base, Genma should have arrived their already and helped Iruka evacuated the hostages. It's secluded and away from the village making it a good spot for interrogation."

The fox chuckled darkly in her mind as a select few memories were brought up, none of them particularly pleasant.

Dream

Naruto dry heaved for a second time, her lunch already lost to the dusty ground. Her body was tired and she felt a headache building up. No matter how soothing she'd like to think the hand rubbing her back was, it hardly did any good.

"Are you alright?" A concerned voice asked.

"Yeah," The blonde wiped her mouth with the edge of her sleeve, cringing inwardly at the taste of bile, "It looks like I'm still not used to it." She pulled back her chakra and slowly her vision dimmed ever so slightly.

"It something that takes time and a lot of practice," The voice reassured, "Neither of which are available at the moment." Naru turned her gaze up and was greeted by her lover's tired face, his heterochromatic eyes out for the world to see.

"I know." She grumbled moodily, turning away from the silver haired male she glimpsed her victim lying on the floor, still as death baring the slight movement of their chest. "Do we need him alive?"

"Mm...not that I can remember," As soon as the words had left his mouth a thin arm darted into his vision, with an orange handled blade flying out and burying itself into the lying man's neck, "I could have taken care of that, you know?"

"Just finishing what I started," Naru said with a shrug, "But if you really want to complain you can go over there and get my sword back for me." She heard his exasperated sigh but he did as she asked nonetheless. It was only when he had left her side that she begin to feel her exhaustion, her knees threatening to buckle while there was nothing for her to lean on.

"Whoa, steady there." The silver haired ninja returned with the bloodied tanto, cleaning it roughly on his pants before sliding it back into the sheath on her waist. He then proceeded to sweep his comrade into his arms, prepared to carry her back to base.

"I'm fine, Kashi." The blonde protested weakly.

"Sure you are." Kakashi replied disbelievingly as he tugged his headband back over his transplanted eye. Naruto pouted, adorably in his opinion, and he couldn't help but steal a chaste, mask-covered kiss.

"Mou," She swatted him with a huff, "Can you at least wait until we get home?"

"Is that an offer?" He returned with a raised brow, loving the way her cheeks reddened.

"...Maybe." He grinned at the blonde who now refused to meet his gaze. "Pervert..." She uttered under her breath.

"You love me for it." Kakashi stated cheekily.

"I tolerate it because I love you," Naru corrected flicking the orange paperback sticking out of his pouch, "And you're lucky I do, otherwise Baa-chan's punches would be the least of your fears."

"Same difference." He laughed the matter off casually, Naruto having long ago resigned to having a pervert for a lover.

"Are you two done?" A dry voice asked.

"Hai!" She jumped in shock almost causing Kakashi to drop her, but successfully cutting off any snide remark he had been prepared to say in response. Instead the silver haired shinobi settled for glaring at the interrupter.

"Kazekage-sama." Gaara merely gave him a look to show how unimpressed he was, and though the red head was several years younger, Kakashi would admit that he could be fairly frightening.

"Gaara!" When she had finally recognized who he was a smile quickly blossomed on her face, "I take it this means things are finished on your side? Without any complications I hope!"

"Yes, Kankuro is currently interrogating the few we left alive," The red head informed with his monotonous, deep voice, "I came over to tell you something interesting we just found out."

"What is it?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"Apparently these raids have all been part of an organized distraction." The young leader began, shocking his comrades.

"Distraction?" Naru echoed, "For who? And why?" Gaara stared at her, his eyes passing on a hidden message, "For me?"

"...!" Kakashi gasped inaudible in shock as his mind worked furiously, "Akatsuki?"

Reality

''Kit, wake up.'' Miyu was slowly nudged awake by a soft damn nose, noticing that the other occupants of the room were already up and about. It was unusual in her opinion since that fact should have woken her before Kurama.

"What time is it?" She asked aloud, yawning softly and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She felt drained.

"A couple hours after dawn." Iruka answered helpfully, "How are you feeling? You looked exhausted yesterday?"

"Better." She surmised briefly, "We'll leave the town in the evening so spend the time however you want. I've got a couple things to do but since you're all already dressed I'll check out before I leave."

"Awesome, it's like a mini vacation, you make a great team leader." Genma stated with a grin, "I think I'll head to the bar for a quick drink." He left it at that and left traditionally... through the window.''

"If my teammate has gone to enjoy himself, I will join him!" Gai decided, quickly leaving in pursuit.

"Do you need help with anything?" Iruka asked, smartly checking over his backpack and belongings.

"No, I'll be fine." She had already changed into less threatening civilian clothes and scooped up her for, "Go look around, we're rarely out of the village and maybe you can find something useful."

"Alright, take care." He fussed over her one last time before leaving through the door as one should.

''So what was on your itinerary,'' Kurama queried.

"I have a couple things I'd like to sell, and Konoha wouldn't be the best place to do so." Miyu replied with a soft laugh just imagining the havoc she would cause.

''I see.'' Kurama nodded in agreement as he picked up on her thoughts, ''you may also expand your inventory if you see fit.''

"Sure, if I find anything good." She gave the room a final survey before leaving it, checking out with the same woman that had served them the first time.

''So which way are we going?'' The fox wondered, staring down at the unfamiliar streets.

"Wherever my nose takes me." Miyu replied quietly. True to her word, she was led to the local ramen stall where, after downing a few bowls of their specialty, she made her way down a road focusing in ninja ware. She entered a few stores, checking their merchandise before exiting not long after, many times coming out empty handed.

''You should try over there.'' The fox stated, lifting his tail to point at the direction he wanted. His partner knew better than to question his slight whims and with nothing better to do, entered the small stall.

"Wel-come...?" Miyu could hear the surprise in the young store owner's voice when she walked in, obviously expecting a different client than the small girl he received. "Is thereanything I can help you with, Miss?" Though, she did like the fact he remained respectful despite her doubtful age.

''There.'' The fox jumped from her shoulders landing on the counter in front of the startled man.

"Uh..." The owner was at a loss as the animal paced back and forth sniffing.

"Sorry about all this," Miyu apologized, "But it seems like my partner's found something interesting."

"It's fin-Hey! Be careful with that!" He moved quickly, pulling back the fox that had almost bitten into a large scroll he had tucked away in the back.

"What's that?" the blonde questioned, eyeing the peculiar design.

"A summoning scroll I manage to get my hands on." The shopkeep replied, "It's rare and all, but few can afford it so it just sits there."

"And what animal?" She listened with rapt interest as she was told the exact details of the scroll, her grin widening every second. "How about you trade with me?" She stated, unsealing an equally large scroll.

"Trade?" He remained wary, eyeing the decorative sword on her waist, "What do you have to offer?"

"The summoning scroll for the salamanders, signed by Hanzo himself." For further proof she briefly unrolled it, showing the deceased legend's mark.

"Where are they?" Iruka asked testily as he waited by the gates with his old teammate.

"They'll be here," Miyu answered as her friendly chat with the guard was interrupted, "Did you know that this village has a rumour of a demon blade?"

"Demon blade?" the brunet repeated confused.

"Yes, made by a resentful blacksmith thousands of years ago," She continued, wondering if the guard had any more info, "Apparently it sent humanity into hundreds of years of, chaos before being subdued by a legendary beast and sealed at the summit of the tallest mountain, bound by the heavens itself."

"And you believe that?" Iruka asked in disbelief. If he didn't know better he would say the guard was playing her.

"It's like a fairy tale around these parts," The guard replied with a smile, "Just an old story."

''But stories and tales must come from somewhere themselves, no?'' Kurama echoed wisely, ''I dearly hope the hero of the shinobi world has no want for a demon blade.'' Of course I want it! Miyu commented immediately, it sounds like a very...good sword. He merely scoffed at her response, blaming her fascination for swords on the ever memorable Demon of the Mist. It was a very good example of how young minds could be shaped by shocking events.

"Miiiiiiiyuuuuu!" The two ninja perked up at the distant shout that got louder as time passed. Accompanied by the sound of quick and heavy footsteps. As they both looked into the distance they could see the emerging figure of Genma running towards them, all but dragging his sleeping teammate behind him. Including the crowd of angry people chasing them, it didn't take them very long to decide their next step of action.

"Thank you very much for the story." Miyu gave the guard a short bow before hoping into the trees, Iruka close behind. It seemed despite saving the town from bandits, they were liable to dislike them due to the unknown action of her drunken teammates.

"I'm home." Miyu called as she entered the large house in the heart of the Uchiha compound.

"Welcome back, Miyu," Mikoto greeted warmly, "Would you like anything to eat? Some tea maybe?"

"Tea would be wonderful." Her adopted daughter replied, "I saw Fugaku just after I handed in my mission report. He says he'll be late for dinner, probably talking to Minato about village security or something."

"Oh, I feel like they've gotten closer recently," Mikoto confessed, leading the blonde to the kitchen where she began preparing some tea she had been given from Hitomi, ''And I have no doubt it's mostly thanks to you."

"Me?" She helped herself to a steaming cup but not before pouring some of the fragrant liquid into a saucer for the fox. He thanked her with a thump of his tail, eagerly lapping at the drink.

"Yes, Fugaku is rather...introverted," The Uchiha matriarch began slowly, "But it seems like when you were brought into the family he was forced to open up a bit more and interact with more and more people. Nowadays I'm happy that the Uchiha and Hyuga have come to better terms."

"That is certainly nice to hear," Miyu replied, "Maybe I should take Sasuke over to their compound next time Kushina and Hitomi-san organize a playdate?"

"Please do." They shared a laugh and chatted quietly before being interrupted by two, slightly roughed-up boys.

"Nee-chan," Itachi greeted with a small smile, "Welcome home."

"Working hard, Tachi?" Miyu asked with a raised brow before turning her attention to the slightly older boy, "Thanks for training with him Shisui."

"It's no problem Miyu-san! He's starting to get really good at taijutsu," the young genin replied, "Eventually he's gonna surpass me and I'll be the one losing all the time."

"You'll just have to train even harder then, right?" Miyu suggested, "Hard work will always deliver fitting results." Both boys silently took her words to heart.

"Well, we still have a couple hours before dinner..." Mikoto began with a meaningful glint in her eyes.

"Perfect!" The blonde cheered, "I hope both of you aren't too tired for one last spar."

"Definitely not." They replied eagerly.

"Great, you can work on your teamwork then," She decided, dragging both boys back outside, "We'll go two against one, the both of you against me."