• After my explanation Matsuo came in and started asking about her father. It surprised me a bit that her father had been gone for eight years. We said a couple words to eah other and then she left after hearing she wouldn't get her father's papers, she left me saying goodbye to her too. She left to which I decided I'd go about my business, " Well that's all I know about this anyways," I said to the Hokage, looking back at the door.
    He rubbed his chin thinking weather or not he should say anything about them to me further. "Well seeing as you are a ninja now and you're capable to protect yourself I will tell you a bit about them," He looked down at some papers for a a moment, and then began to explain. "They're called the Akatsuki," Pausing for the moment as he gather his thoughts he continued. "They are a group of powerful ninja that go around searching for jinchurriki, or tailed beasts. They want to use the power of these tailed demons for evil purposes. Do you know that Naruto holds one of the jinchurriki within him?" He questioned looking at me thoughtfully.
    "No I had no idea, but I saw him looking very upset one day, and decided to look into his past," I told the Hokage who looked very surprised. "It was very sad when I saw everything, and he wanted so much attention," I paused thinking about the pain he had went through.
    "I see," He paused again. "Well nobody really acknowledge him that's why. Anyways stay away from the Akatsuki you don't want business with them," I nodded agreeing with him even though I knew I had already became associated with my brother and two of them.
    "I also grew up with another jinchurriki at my village," I explained as I left he seemed a bit surprised at this. "Thank you for the information," I said bowing by the door and leaving.



    "Find anything?" Iruka asked, over his bowl of ramen. I nodded.
    "I'm getting papers on him tomorrow."
    I was about to speak when I felt someone brush by me. Turning, I saw Ino sitting down aside of me, accompanied by the two people on her team. I glanced past her. "Hey, Ino. Uh...who are they?"
    "This is Shikamaru," she said, jabbing a thumb at a boy with a spiky black ponytail, who was leaning his head against one hand. she then ponted to a chubby boy on his other side, who was hungrily downing a bag of chips. "And that's Chouji." They glanced up at me at hearing their names. Shikamaru gave a sleepy nod and Chouji waved energetically. I waved.
    "I'm Matsuo," I said.
    "Oh, we know." Chouji chirped.
    I stared at him, and an awkward silence took over the bar. "Way to go, genius." Shikamaru sighed. He turned to me. "We're not as stalkerish as he just made us sound. Kiba talks about you all the time, that's all."
    Feeling Iruka elbow me, I blushed and elbowed him back, hard. Hearing a muffled snicker, I turned back to them. "Uh...yeah. We kinda hang out a lot."
    Ino winked at me. "Uh-huh. Riiiiiiight. I know when someone's playing dumb."
    I blushed again and hopped out of my stool. "Yeah. Um. I'll see you guys later." Grabbing iruka's arm, I all but ripped himk off of the chair, dragging him down the street. Momoko rode on iruka's shoulder happily as we hurried away. He elbowed me again. "So, you and Inuzuka-"
    "Are nonexistant." I shot him a sour look. "You're awfully cheery now that you're out of the hospital."
    "Well, Uminos are known for their optimism..."
    I laughed quietly and we went back to the hospital, to sign him back in (even though he only had two more days he had to stay). As we walked I tried to imagine my father. The faded wedding picture floated in the back of my mind as I tried to think of it. oh well, I thought. I'll be seeing him in a month or so, anyways.


    Oh I couldn't wait to get a hold of my brother he was so dead. Why wouldn't he tell me that he had joined some evil organization called the Akatsuki?! I had was fuming with anger about my brother, and I needed to get some steam off. I headed to the training ground quickly and started practicing my tai jutsu without anyone else with me. I started kicking, punching and any other tai jutsu move I could think of, and was pounding down on a tree. I didn't know how long I was there doing it for, but it started to become a bit chilly out for my liking. Flopping down on the ground I was breathing heavily from training myself. Looking at the tree it seemed a bit beaten up, and I could see that the bark was beginning to wear down a bit. The thought of my brother came back, and with it him being in the Akatsuki also. Tears started welling up in my eyes. How could he hunt people just because of a spirit inside of them?! The thought hit me of Naruto, having the spirit in him, and a person I knew back at the Sand Village. They would have to be hunted also because of him and his little "friends". Getting back up I started beating down on the tree again, but it wasn't sadness driving me it was anger towards my brother.


    The next day I was allowed to train again (thank god, I was about to rip my hair out in frustration!) And spent most of my morning practicing my Genjutsu, honing my Tanuki Swap to near perfection and polishing up on a new Genjutsu I had thought about, casting an illusion so that the plants I controled would look like things from the ninja's nightmares - tentacles, enemies, clowns, whatever. Kurenai helped me plan the handsigns and the chakra usage and we practiced it (she told me afterwards that she was being swarmed by the dead bodies of those she cared about). I then dubbed it the Demonic Illusion : Embodied Nightmares. After this I went to Ino's to take my "required nap" before going on to Kakashi. On the way, I held Momoko and counted my invented jutsu on my other hand. The Tanuki Swap, The Demonic Illusion...I only had two original jutsu to my name. It was kind of embaressing.
    As I approached the park I saw Kakashi, watching some other teams train, standing with folded arms. I hurried up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned slightly. "Ah, Matsuo. Looking much better, concious and all."
    I scowled teasingly and moved to stand across from him, setting Momoko down on the bench nearby. "Guess what?"
    "Hm?"
    "I just made a new jutsu."
    "Really? Interesting." he scratched his nose absently. My eye twitched. He looked anything BUT interested. With a sigh, I peered at him anxiously. "Can I try it on you?"
    "This is a Taijutsu lesson," he reminded gently, smiling slightly. "Let's just do Taijutsu for now."
    with a sigh I relented, and we began to spar. I found myself frustrated. I could see his attacks but I couldn't block them as quickly as I could before, and my attacks weren't nearly as quick or well aimed, either. I managed, but left the class with bruises up my bac, legs, and arms. I went back to Ino's and showered, changing into my red flannel pajamas and tying my hair into a loose ponytail. She handed me a box of my things then. I raised an eyebrow at her. "Um?'
    "Iruka said you guys can go back to your house, so..." she shoved the box into my arms and suddenly hugged me. "I'm going to miss you! It was so much fun! I wasn't the only teenage girl in this house of freaks!" she sobbed overdramatically. "You need to come over more often! This was the best! Can i stay at your house? I only have guy friends I need a girl to talk to!'
    As she wailed, I took a wary step back. "You can spend the night tomorrow, if you want-"
    "YES! i'll be there, and I'll bring candy, and a horror movie, and popcorn, and a sleeping bag, and flowers, and tarot cards just in case we get bored..."
    As she ran off this list, I patted her shoulder and slipped on my white slippers, before walking out of the house, hearing her continue the list from behind. As I tiptoed into the street I saw Shino walk by stoically with Kiba, who waved enthusiastically. Akamaru barked, and Momoko raised a pudgy tanuki fist at him. I ushered the tanuki along and hurried back to my house (which was a pleasure to see without yellow tape barring the doors and windows.) I was about to open the door when someone bumped into me. I cried out and accidentally dropped my box.
    "Oh dear. I'm sorry."
    I looked up to see a boy maybe two or three years older then me, with gray hair pulled back into a masculine ponytail behind him, and round, almost Harry Potterish glasses. He looked at me sheepishly, extending a hand. "Kabuto Yakushi. Nice to meet you."