Fire style: Burning Love Jutsu

Chapter 40: A new beginning?

I watched her knock on the door and saw it open. "Who is it?" Kankuro called from the couch. "I'm home." Azamuku said, giving a soft smile. "MUKU!!!" Temari screamed. Kankuro jumped over the back of the couch, tripping then getting up. She was nearly crushed between them hugging her when a door opened from upstairs. "Can't you two shut up?" Gaara asked. "Gaara. There's someone here for you." Temari said. "I don't care." He said. Turning around and going to close the door.

"Well screw you too, punk." Azamuku said, grinning. "Muku?" Gaara whispered. "I'm home, Big brother." She said. He turned around and walked down the stairs, cautiously and in slight disbelief. "How do I know it's you?" He asked, standing in front of her. She reached her arm up and punched Kankuro in the stomach. "Because I read his mind." She said as Kankuro curled up on the floor, holding his stomach.

"Everyone hits him." Gaara said, not convinced. She placed her hands on his temples and closed her eyes. "His eyes filled with tears from what I can assume was their past. "Muku. It is you." He said as she lowered her hands and opened her eyes. "I told you I wasn't going to die." She said, smiling. He picked her up and hugged her tight. "I will be back. I promise. I have to run to Konaha real quick. It's been 3 years if not longer since I had been there." She said. "Hurry back! We have to have a celebration for your return home!" Temari called. Her face lit up as we ran back outside and over to the leaf village.

"Hey. Is that..." I heard Naruto's loud mouth say. "Hey! Naruto!" Azamuku called. "It is! Sakura! Kakashi Sensei! It's Azamuku!!!" He cried. We ran into the gates, Azamuku hugging everyone. Their faces dropped as soon as Deidara walked in. "Look out!" Naruto said, throwing a kunai. "NO!" She cried, catching it, inches from Deidara's face. "Are you crazy!?" He yelled. "Maybe. But I'm sure of this one." Guys. This is Deidara. He's now under my command." She said.

"How!?" Sakura asked, amazed. "Because. I..." Azamuku started then stopped. She took a deep breath and took Deidara's cloak. "I'm the leader." She said. "You.... Went back?" Naruto asked sounding broken. "Yes and no." She said. "We're still the Akatsuki... But I think it's time for a change." She said, grinning. Deidara looked at her in surprise. "Deidara is my assistant and one day if it ever comes down to it, he will take it over for me." She said, making him smile.

"You guys want to come to a party, tonight?" She asked. "A party!? Heck yeah! Where at!?" Naruto said, punching up in the air. "Sunagakure." She told him. "Big brother and Temari are throwing a welcome home party. For me and Sasuke." She said, smiling. "It's at Gaara's house?" Naruto said, suddenly unsure. "Hold your tongue or I'll pull it from your mouth." She threatened. "He's the kazekage of Sunagakure. Yes still rather scary, but he's got more emotion now making him more enjoyable." I said, chuckling.

"He's still terrifying!" Naruto shouted. Sakura punched him in the back of the head then laughed nervously. "We'll be there." She said. "Cool! I have to run up and see Lord Hokage now. It's a rather urgent matter with Deidara being here." They let us through and ran behind us. "Lord Hokage!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. I saw him peek from his window in the tower as the doors opened to let us in. We ran upstairs and into the office. "Azamuku... Well I'll be." He said, smiling. His smile dropped when he saw the cloak in my hands then saw Deidara walk through.

"Azamuku." He started. "My lord. Please. Let me explain." She said, quickly kneeling on one knee. "Alright." He said, sounding unamused. "I have come to ask a favor." Deidara has confirmed to me that he is the only surviving member of the Akatsuki. Meaning Nagato is no more, as well. During my time there, I was set to take his place, should anything happen." She said before bowing her head. "I have decided I am going to accept that role and there will be changes made. Under the name 'Akatsuki', we would like to recruit men and women from each village of highest skill." She said.

"We will no longer be ranked as missing nin and in recreating the organization, we will vow to do no damage or harm unless summoned by you or another kage. We will use our strengths only to aide in combat." She continued. "So would you please grant me this honor of allowing me to take leadership role of this group with Deidara as my assistant as Sasuke and co-leader?" She asked. After a moment of silence, he gently touched her shoulder and told her to rise. "I will spread the word at once." He said. She smiled and stood to her feet, hugging him. "Thank you so much." She said. "You won't regret it." She squeaked.