The Lost Shinobi

Graves

Akiko didn't want to move from her bed, it was too comfortable. But, Ichiraku was barking at her for food. "Fine," she grumbled, hair messy as she walked to pour the dog's food in his bowl. She looked over to see that Naruto hadn't been back yet. Ever since he left, she had been training and hanging out with Jiro, who was actually very sweet. She turned to see the cloudy sky, which meant it was going to rain. 

Just great, I was planning to get some training done today. Akiko glared at nobody in particular, but wasn't really happy. Suddenly, she got an idea, and grabbed a coat. Well, a black hoodie with blue stripes on it. She got some jeans, tied up her hair in a ponytail, tied Kubikiribōchō and walked outside. Ichiraku tried to follow her, but she ordered him to stay put. "No, I'll be back don't worry," she said in a soothing voice. The pup could only obey his master.

Smiling, Akiko locked the door and ran downstairs. There weren't many people outside, maybe because of the upcoming rain. Rain didn't bother Akiko a lot, it just got you wet, and cold. She stopped running for a little while and saw exactly what she was looking for. Ino's family's flower shop. She walked in, "Hello?" Ino was there, "Um, hi, Akiko, umm, what are you doing here?" She was scared, Akiko wouldn't blame her, she did beat her up as a little kid. "I'm just looking for some flowers." 

Ino raised an eyebrow, "Isn't the guy supposed to bring girl flowers?" Akiko was confused, "A guy? Oh! You mean Scar? Well, we're actually not dating, just friends." Ino understood, "So, who are they for?" Akiko ruffled her hair, "I'm visiting someone in the cemetery, I just need some nice flowers." Ino's face was filled with pity, "Oh, well then, take these." They were white roses, "Uh, thanks Ino." Akiko paid for the flowers and walked to the cemetery. Like always, people sent her weird glares, or even stares. It didn't quite bother her, but it took the mood out of some things.

By the time she reached the cemetery, she already knew which person to go to. She found the K.I.A. Stone and read through the names. She found her mother as one of them. "Umm, hi Mom. I don't really know you that much. It's a good weather this afternoon, despite the fact that it's gonna rain soon. I just wanted to say that I got some of these flowers from Ino for you. I'm saving the other pair for somebody else. They're white roses. I wanted to tell you that, I lost my match in the Chunin Exams, but Kakashi told me that I tried my best. I think I did well, but I still wish I hadn't. The match was too one-sided. I probably shouldn't be thinking that, but it feels that way." 

Akiko realized that she had tears in her eyes. How weak. She rubbed them away and set down the flowers on the Stone. "Mom, take care of Dad and Haku now that they're up there. I miss them both so much. It's funny, how you can hate someone so much for using you as a weapon, and now that they're gone, you miss them now more than ever. I guess that's why you married him. Not for using you, but for, his actions contrasting who he truly was. I guess after you died and I left, we both scarred him. He went on killing a lot of people, and maybe, if I never left, he wouldn't have hurt so many who want revenge against him. I really hope you don't worry about me too much. I'm fine, even though I'm hurting inside, I'll be okay. It's not easy to get over the death of someone's father so easily. Heh, well, I'm crying now, so, I'll speak to you soon, okay Mom?" 

Akiko knew she wouldn't get an answer. But, she smiled, rubbed her eyes, and walked somewhere else. She recognized the name on one grave, "Hiruzen Sarutobi." Smiling a lot more, she walked to his grave. She felt droplets of rain on her face. It was quite pleasant, Yūrei growled in disgust. "Let's get this over with, we don't want to get caught in a thunderstorm." Akiko paid no attention to her, like always. She put down the flowers and sighed, "Hey Old Man. It's been a long time hasn't it. Sorry I couldn't attend your funeral, I was too busy trying not to attend mine. I miss you, despite your constant old people advice, that I never want to remember." Akiko remembered the first time she met the Hokage. It was, actually one of the scariest moments of her life.