Alright, so there will be some stat changes. Read through them, and yes, I know Naruto is overpowered because he's probably the strongest character for a reason. Do I know this reason? No. And I'm probably going to regret it.

Stats After Time Skip

Sakura: Ninjutsu 2.5, Taijutsu 3, Genjutsu 4, Intelligence 4, Speed 3, Strength 2.5, Stamina 3, Hand Seals 5, Total: 27

Naruto: Ninjutsu 5, Taijutsu 4, Genjutsu 3, Intelligence 5, Speed 4, Strength 4, Stamina 5, Hand Seals 4, Total: 34

Makoto: Ninjutsu 4, Taijutsu 3.5, Genjutsu 3, Intelligence 4, Speed 3.5, Strength 3.5, Stamina 4, Hand Seals 3, Total: 28.5

Another quick update since I won't be posting at all come after the 17th if December. I'll be rereading everything that I post anyway during the Christmas/New Year season. Expect good, edited chapters after I'm don't. I might be doing things for Christmas and maybe the New Years, so that's why I'm speaking to you now a 2 weeks in advance plus will stop writing after the 17th. Plus, I work, so don't get your heart set on a chapter every day of t. If this chapter seems not at all proofread, it's because it wasn't proofread. Same with the last chapter. Hopefully I don't regret this.

…

I walked up the familiar village gates smiling, my headband around my head for the first time. Ever since Sakura and I had our rivalry had gone on since the equivalent of middle school, I was ready to see her again and make the statement that I was a stronger woman this time.

If she saw me with my headband around my head, she would probably punch me in the face. It was a sign that we were real ninja now, but unfortunately, we had been out of touch because of our distance away from each other.

I crossed the world to study with Jiraiya and learn new things that would help me on my way. Something that made me feel powerful—no lie. But I was still not ready to be an equal to Naruto. If anything, Naruto would kill me the first chance he got.

It wasn't a spectacular thing to walk through the streets alone because Jiraiya had left me to head home halfway to the village suddenly. I was alone right now and I'd probably go visit everyone. Still, ever since Jiraiya left me, I've decided rest would be a wonderful experience. If I never turned to my apartment for a day of rest, and walked up the stairs to the rundown complex where I live, I never would I was greeted by an Anbu.

"Who are you?"

She took her mask off and said, "Hello, you must be Makoto."

The Anbu smiled, and what was distinct about this Anbu was her familiar red eyes.

"What the…" I said.

Her face fell, "I know you're shocked to see me, and you don't even know me, but Naruto was not the one who received the Yin-half of the Kyuubi. They've kept me secret for a long time. My name Akira. I knew your brother when he was working undercover to protect you."

"You're Akira? I was told by Naruto on the day he left…"

"Not even Naruto knows he isn't a Jinchuuriki. He never knew because he received part of the Yin-half's Chakra, and apparently, he figured it out just recently because it had run out. I've been tracking him ever since he left. You could say I was more of a sister than a fellow Anbu, because we are of the same bond, but not blood. That's part of the reason why I was kept secret, and not even he knew we were related." said Akira.

"Akira, where have you been? I never had any family until 2 years ago." I said, mesmerized by her story, "Come on in, I'll make some tea."

We went into the small apartment. My things had been perfectly dusted and vacuumed while I was gone.

My first that was, "Did you do this?"

"No, it was a kind pink haired girl that had the Sharingan. I asked her as she left and she told me she had been doing it for 2 years." Akira said.

"Damn Sakura, you're good at cleaning…" I mumbled.

"Hmm?" said Akira.

"Well, she said she was never much of a 'help around the house' kind of girl to her mom. She's pretty much a tomboy." I said, "She still did an excellent job, she also killed the roaches."

"So, I see who wears the pants now… hmm…" said Akira

"What?! No, she didn't say anything about that, did she?" I shrieked.

"That you went on a date before you left? Yes, she told me all about that. You're more of a tomboy than her, you must wear the pants, am I right? Relax, girls do this all the time." she gave a laugh but I could tell it was fake.

"Are you normally this unemotional?" I said sarcastically.

"Oh, yes, I was a member of Root… certain things you have to let go to join." she said.

"Right." I said, "You're clueless about social cues aren't you. Don't worry, people often call me blunt."

"Oh, really?" Akira question.

"Yes, quite often." I mimicked her tone.

"Oh… so would reading about things like this help? I read a lot." said Akira, totally clueless to the joke. I'm going to have fun.

"Yeah, knock yourself out." I said.

"I am aware of that phrase, so don't actually do it, right?"

She was like a 4-year-old, but much smarter. She knew that I was joking that time.

"No, don't actually do it." I sighed, "Anyway, I've got some ginger tea."

"Want me to help you fix it?"

"Um, no… I can handle it."

"Are you nervous? I don't want anyone to get burned so that's why I'm offering."

"I'm actually not that much younger than you… and—wait, did the Hokage send you?" I probed.

"Yes, and she's a very nice woman, I've met her on multiple occasions through these last years, but she didn't seem to appreciate company."

"Well, all people have to be away a little while. Things will never cool down."

I put the brewing tea on the counter after I warmed the water in the microwave and put the tea bag in.

"Want me to blow on it?" Akira said suddenly.

"I'm not a child. Jeez, I'm 15." I said.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm clueless… so sorry." said bowing low.

"Look, you didn't run into me on in the road or something, you can just nod your head. We're sisters, right?" I said, giving a harassed smile.

Akira bowed lower. "Right. Sorry, I just grew up as a Root Anbu and rather someone who works for the Hokage, and these people aren't even allowed into the village very often because Danzo needs us. We treat each other like brothers and sisters of the same feather and when one of us does something wrong… well anyway. I'm one of the few female Root, many aren't even selected… sorry—"

"Jeez, you're so paranoid that I don't like you, you know? I used to be like you. Clueless and afraid of not being accepted, but once you find your friends, there's nothing to be afraid of." I said, beaming.

"Right. Okay." Akira said. "And how did you find your friends?"

"I dunno. They all sort of fell in my lap." I said, shrugging, "I have plenty of books, they're in the broom closet since there's no other place for them."

"Alright, do you have any books on etiquette?"

"A few… they're probably out dated…" I said. "They were when I got them from the previous Hokage."

"So, you knew the previous Hokage? I know Danzo and him were rivals." said Akira, looking at the books I gave her. She then whipped around to sit on the bed.

"Do you respect Danzo?" I said.

"Can't say, we're not supposed to talk about him personally." she said.

"Oh, I guess it's a secrecy thing, sorry for asking." I said.

"Makoto! Open this door, you forgot to come by my place!"

I ran over to the door and let Sakura in.

"You shouldn't have gone straight home. And there's that girl again saying she was looking for you. Why are you lounging on her bed?! And no, you don't have your headband around your head—that's unfair. You haven't seen what I can do yet."

"But Sakura-san, you have your headband around your head!" said Akira.

"Sakura, come on." I said, "We're not kids."

"Then that's just an excuse isn't it. The messenger the Hokage-sama sent didn't send the message, did she? We're supposed to go to my place."

"Why?"

"You'll see."

…

"Surprise! Welcome back."

This was the most people I've ever seen in a room. Shikamaru and his team, Hinata and hers, both including their sensei and my own. There was team Ebisu also here. Akira hid behind me as the sight of all these people. "And for an early birthday, Asuma got you a gift…"

"It's something that might come in handy, a tool that absorbs chakra… I personally think a sword like this would suit you." Asuma came forward and presented it to me.

"Um, okay! Does it have a name?" I said.

"You name it, each blade should be personalized to have a name. I've named mine Left-Hook and Right-Slash." he said.

"So, cool Uncle Asuma!"

I lifted it and drew the one-handed blade. It was balanced perfectly. Sheathed it and said, "Kusanagi. Means grass cutter."

"Perfect!" said Sakura.

"Alright… so why the big party?" I asked

"To celebrate, right?" said Akira. Some of the people laughed. She gave a nervous smile.

"Oh yeah, this is Akira, she's my older half-sister that I just met today. She's from Root, so you know that Danzo took away all her emotions."

"Danzo is a good leader… I don't know why he didn't become Hokage." said Akira.

"So, Kira-chan. You don't have any emotions?" said Udon.

"No, and I'm bad at recognizing them as well. But I'm going to the Konoha Library next week to work on learning etiquette and other things."

"So, wait, you can't take a joke?" said Kiba.

"Kibbles, shut your mouth." I said, Akamaru growled. I reach out to pet him, but he bit at me.

"So, we're all grown up now." said Sakura's mom. "You want some cake?" she pulled out a plate and offered it to me with a bow.

"I'd love cake. What kind?"

"Chocolate with white vanilla frosting… Sakura said it was your favorite."

"Yeah, she knows me." I said, laughing.

"You have such great friends Makoto-chan. Do you mind if I call you that?" my sister said, "I wish I had found friends, but Anbu aren't the friendly type."

"It's better than Imouto… we just met today okay?" I said to Akira. "And they're your friends now too."

"I especially want to be friends the cute guy with the ponytail."

"Aggh, what? Troublesome…"

We all laughed except for Akira.

"What's troublesome?" she said.

"You apparently." said Kiba.

Akira looked sad.

"I'm a taller woman than before, okay Kiba, do I need to measure the size difference?" I said, "What happened to Guy and Lee's team?"

"They're out tracking Naruto. Apparently since he went rogue, he's strayed to places around the world with a group of people." said Akira.

"And so, they sent the loudest two on a team, who also scream youth every five seconds to find Naruto…" I said. "Great, were all doomed."

"Well, they are the strongest team. Both Lee and Tenten are Chunin, and Neji is a Jonin."

"And what ever happened to Gaara and his brother and sister after they saved you guys during the retrieval mission?"

"Gaara had a change in heart since he fought you in the Chunin Exam Finals. He said he wasn't afraid to let another Jinchuuriki take his shot at being a leader instead of living for himself. He became Kazekage."

"That's a good job… the leader of the village! While I'm still a Genin." I said.

"But it is a good job!" said Akira with a louder, more distinct voice, but she managed to miss the point again…

"Alright…" I sighed. "What next, we going to tear through the cake or what?"

…

Okay, so this is where the story turns... um, if you're wondering what's happening after this... well I won't tell.