Uchiha Avenger

Chapter 15

Ayame was guided out the arena by Asuma and Kurenai.

"I can't believe I didn't recognize you! Don't take it personal, it's just been so long!" Asuma laughed as she shrugged.

"I don't mind, honestly. It isn't that big of a deal."

"Ayame?" She turned at her name, her eyes widening. Before her stood the mint green haired Akiko, sporting her signature smile. Ayame stared forward as Akiko ran and hugged her.

"Ayame, we thought you two were dead! We couldn't find your bodies and figured Itachi had killed you two on your way back."

"I'm okay." She promised, trying to think of something to say. "Akiko, look at you."

"Look at you!" she replied excitedly, drawing back from the hug with a smile. "You're gorgeous! Still short but-"

"Really?" Ayame laughed and pushed her cheek jokingly, Akiko laughing as well.

"Lord Third has told me to escort you to our lockers. Sayakah will be taken care of." Akiko informed Ayame who nodded. She was led to the ANBU base where Ayame was assigned clothing and a mask to wear while on duty.

"Welcome. You'll be on my team, Team Yi." Akiko smiled. "Can you keep up?"

"Is that even a question?" She scoffed, placing her uniform in her locker.

"Hey, what you did today was really...awesome." Akiko nodded. Ayame glanced at her and cracked a neutral smile.

"Thanks. I still find it embarrassing that due to my past, if I had lost I may not have been able to stay here."

"Did you figure things out with that curse on your back?" Akiko asked, leaning against the locker.

"Nobody seems to know what it is. But sometimes I have these visions...dreams or visions where I'm standing infront of this huge cage with tall grass around me. Inside the cage is this lion who almost looks like a summoning, but it's something about him that seems so...demonic and evil. He's got ten tails and dots underneath his eyes just like me. He was really rude and swore a lot when we first met but now we tolerate each other." Ayame rambled.

Akiko hummed and looked back.

"We should head out. Dinner's on me tonight to celebrate the return of my bestfriend, Ayame Uchiha." Akiko announced, giggling softly.

"Aw, boy do I feel special." She joked, walking beside Akiko out of the base. They walked in the streets calmly, Ayame feeling gazes burn into her.

"You've grown into an amazing shinobi." Akiko commented. "You're seven years gone has shown amazing improvement, and then you summoned the Great Cats. There's only a handful of people who've ever been able to do that.

"Sayakah has grown extremely close to them over the years. I️ took her to their realm on a couple of occasions." Ayame explained.

They walked into a restaurant and sat down, beginning to chat about recent events. They spent most of the meal laughing amongst one another and telling different stories.

"So your mother really had another child?!" Ayame gasped. "I want to see him!"

"He's still little but we can stop by her house." Akiko turned, guiding her down a different pathway.

Akiko's company was the first time Ayame showed visible emotion on her face since she had arrived back in the village. Besides her meeting with the Third Hokage.

They made it to the large house and Akiko knocked softly. A few seconds passed before Crystal opened the door.

A little boy was on her hip with bark brown hair and rich chocolate skin like his mother and unlike his light skinned older siblings (Akiko and Ryuu). He stared at Ayame as her mouth dropped and her eyes glistened in excitement.

"Ayame!" Crystal beamed and embraced her. "It's so great to have you back. You did amazing today."

"Thank you." She smiled and looked at the boy. "Who is this?"

"This is Ryuu and Akiko's little brother Noah. Say Hi." She urged.

"Hi." Noah pronounced, Ayame smiling.

"You're going to grow up and be a handsome, strong shinobi." Ayame promised, smiling down at him.

"It was great to see you, Ayame." Crystal smiled as Ayame returned the smile.

"You too. And it was nice to meet Noah." Ayame beamed down at the boy before turning.

"Oh Akiko, Ryuu should be coming back tomorrow evening."

"That's good." Akiko nodded. She exchanged a hug with her mother before walking into the street with Ayame.

Halfway through their walk, Ayame turned and looked back to see Sayakah attempting to sneak up on her.

"You walk too heavy on your feet." She squatted down to Sayakah's height, noticing a bag of coins in her hand.

"What's that?" Ayame cocked her head.

"Kakashi Hatake gave me some money to bring home for us." She beamed innocently as Ayame's gaze narrowed in anger. She stood up straight, furrowing her eyebrows. Not too far down the street he stood, reading his book.

Ayame snatched the bag of money and marched down the street, brimming with rage. He looked up as she stopped and extended the bag.

"I don't need your pity. I'm not a charity service." She snapped. He raised an eyebrow and turned.

"I just wanted to he-"

Ayame threw the bag on the ground. "I don't need your help-I never did and never will." She snapped in an icy tone.

Kakashi stared down at her as she turned, balling her fist.

"Don't try and make friends with me now." She looked over her shoulder.

"We're working beside each other now." Kakashi reminded her. "We'll be forced to speak regardless if you like it or not."

Ayame turned and shoved her hands into his chest, pushing him back.

"Shut up!" She roared, tears of frustration forming in her eyes. "I don't care if we work together, that doesn't change what you've done to me and how you've treated me. You're nothing but an ally to me, we aren't friends nor do I like you. Don't sit here and pretend like we are."

She glared at him and turned, walking back to Akiko. She roughly grabbed Sayakah's hand and led her home.

"Sorry you two had to witness that." She apologized sheepishly. Akiko smiled and placed a hand on Ayame's shoulder.

"It's fine, Ayame." Akiko promised. "Try and let some things go though. People change and you're a good example of that." Akiko gave Ayame a final hug.

"It's great to have you two back." She smiled, kneeling down. Sayakah embraces Akiko tightly, beaming.

"Bye bye!" She pulled back and waved, skipping beside Ayame as they turned into their home.