Chapter 1

The mist was unusually thick in the garden areas of the Mizukage's mansion. Hardly anything could be seen but that didn't mean it couldn't be heard. A ninja in a standard ANBU uniform approached the gardens and was soon surrounded by the thick veil; he listened and expertly followed the sound of the small stream he felt nearby that would lead to his target. His steps quickened as he heard his target's quiet and frustrated breaths grow closer and closer. The mist soon cleared to reveal the back of a girl seeming to be meditating atop of a large stone overlooking the flowers. The wind pushed her now long brown hair towards her ANBU mask sitting next to her as she remained oblivious of her visitor's presence.

"You do know that you're spreading a pretty thick mist right?" The ninja asked. The other ninja quickly turned her head towards him revealing the brown eyes that she possessed.

"Yuki! Did you get any news yet?" She asked with great worry in her eyes.

Yuki couldn't help but feel himself twitch in annoyance at what her priorities seemed to be. "Way to greet someone, Megumi." The sarcasm dripped from his words as he sat on the ground beside her and pointed a letter towards her with a teasing smile. "No, 'How are you, Yuki?' or 'Hey there, Yuki it's good to see you' maybe just a 'Hi.' But all in all I still forgive you." Megumi gave him an apologetic smile as she took the letter from his hand.

"Sorry about the mist. I've been trying to focus and distract my mind from this whole mess that I don't even notice when I release my chakra like this." She slowly opened the letter but sighed as she looked up at the sky.

It felt like so long ago that she received a letter from Shikamaru happily saying that Naruto had returned to the Leaf Village and was asking for them. She had been so happy and ready to go with Yuki to see his old roommate but it was quickly turned into worry and fear as she received a second letter from Temari. The past two years had helped her become closer to her friends from the other villages and that greatly included Gaara. In a way he had helped her become herself again and be happy after Sasuke had left her. And now he was suffering because the Akatsuki had captured him for the demon Shukaku inside of him and he could most likely be dead. Why did it always have to be Gaara? She looked towards Yuki with eyes glassy from unshed tears silently asking whether the news was good or bad. "I promise you right now Megumi that the news can't possibly get any worse."

She took a deep breath and started to read the letter from Temari. 'Wait! That writing.' Her eyes widened as she realized it was a letter from the person she had been worried about the most.

Megumi,

Temari tells me that you've been very worried about my well being and I must say that I'm grateful and flattered that you care. You can already guess that I'm alive and well, Naruto and a good acquaintance known as Grandma Chiyo can be thanked for that. Despite this whole situation being stressful and unnecessary, something good came out of it. It might sound like I'm being selfish, but I can't tell you how relieved I am to be free of the demon, Shukaku even though the Akatsuki now posses it. I still have all my past abilities which will prove beneficial when we try to stop them though.

I can hardly wait until we can see each other again. It will be nice to sit and watch the clouds together like we had become accustomed to doing, but as Kazekage it doesn't seem likely that I will have the time soon.

I sincerely hope I didn't worry you too much. Till we see each other again,

-Gaara

She smiled up at Yuki as she finished reading and soon started to quietly laugh. He looked at her confused about her reaction, "Well, what is it? One minute you're almost crying and the next you're laughing." She ignored his comments and hugged him in absolute happiness. He was very confused but could tell it was good news as he returned the hug. 'Tch, girls.' In an attempt to gain her attention he cleared his throat and moved back a bit. "This nice and all but I was also sent because the Mizukage wanted to see us."

Megumi stood and brushed the dirt from her own ANBU uniform and picked up her mask that she had made sure looked like Haku's old mask. "Let's go see what the old lady needs then." She helped Yuki stand and happily walked inside the Mizukage's mansion and heading towards her office.

"You're lucky she didn't hear you say that or you'd be dead." He tiredly stated, Megumi's emotions usually had that effect on Yuki.

Megumi just smirked. "Then it's a good thing that she didn't hear me say it then," She said as she walked into the office.

As they walked inside they could see the leader of the Village Hidden in the Mist, Mei Terumi, reading over mission reports while her two body guards, Ao and Chojuro, stood watch next to her desk. "You called for us Lady Mizukage." Yuki stated lazily.

Mei looked up towards them and gave them a wide smile. "Guess who has a mission for you two." They both groaned and drooped in posture, couldn't they get a small break? The Mizukage blinked in confusion that her usually "ready for any mission" ninja were now dreading one. "What's wrong with you two? I thought you would have liked a new mission, especially now that you're ANBU." They couldn't help but flinch as she pouted; she always did that when she wanted something.

Megumi stepped forward with a nervous smile and waving hands. "I-It's not that we don't appreciate it, it's just that we were kind of hoping for a little break to, maybe, visit some old friends."

They waited in silence for she would say stuck in anticipation. "Well, then it's a good thing this mission takes place in the Leaf Village." Yuki and Megumi exchanged confused looks before looking back at the Mizukage. "I want you to give a very important message to the Hokage, it is imperative that you give it directly to her and not let anyone else see it. I also expect a reply but I doubt that would need an escort." She snapped her fingers signaling Chojuro to give Megumi the envelope. Yuki couldn't help but roll his eyes as he saw him blush at Megumi's thankful smile. 'And this guy is supposed to be a part of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist? He practically falls apart whenever a girl says "Hi" to him.'

"Alright you two, I trained you myself to be at this level so I expect the best from you even if this is a regular mission." Ao stated seriously.

"Yes sir."

Mei couldn't help but yawn. "Ao, why do you always have to be so boring? Let them have their fun." Her eyes sparkled as she slammed her hand against the desk and stood smiling. "I just got a marvelous idea! The two of you have seemed a little down as of late so after you have completed this mission I'm granting you a small vacation until your next mission."

Ao just sighed as he looked towards his boss. "That's not exactly the great idea I was expecting."

"Make sure you tell that old bag of bones, Tsunade, I said 'Hello and thanks.' If it weren't for her I wouldn't have my two favorite ninjas here." She stated with a flourish, her two bodyguards weren't too happy though as they gave her an annoyed and insulted look. She merely ignored them though as she happily gazed at her young protégées.

Megumi smiled shyly and placed her mask on her face with Yuki doing the same. "If that will be all milady we'll be going now to complete our mission."

They were almost out the door when the Mizukage called then back. "One more thing…" She still had her happy smile that was now becoming a bit frightening. "I suggest that you don't make fun of my age ever again, you either need to shut up…" She stood from her seat and walked to the front of her desk with ankle length hair flowing behind. Megumi and Yuki were thankful for the masks on their faces but you could still tell they were fearful as their bodies trembled. "…or I'll kill you. That's all." They stumbled out of the room with a mumbled 'Thank you milady.'

They had gone back to their rooms in the mansion and began to pack for their mission. Megumi stood and looked around her comfortable space in awe; she couldn't believe how nice the Mizukage was to allow them to stay in the mansion with her. She placed an extra set of uniforms in her backpack and a bento filled with sweet dango. Ever since she had them with Sasuke all that time ago she always needed to have them whenever she went on a mission, it was more of an obsession than a craving. 'Sasuke…' Just thinking about him brought down her mood. She looked towards the far wall and could see her katana sitting in its sheath waiting to be used. She sighed but still placed it on her back. 'Better safe than sorry.' The last time it had been used was when Sasuke had it placed against her neck, since then she just didn't have the guts to use it anymore. 'With Naruto back though, I have a feeling that might change.'

"Megumi, you ready to go? If we leave now we might be able to make it to the last boat in time and be there tomorrow." Megumi nodded and placed her mask on her face again. She wore it so often that sometimes she would wonder which was her real face and which was her mask.

_._._._._._

Two Days Later

"Well, I must say I expected you here earlier than this." The Hokage watched the ninjas walk into her room and give a deep bow.

"Forgive us, Lady Tsunade." Megumi stated while giving a glare to Yuki through her mask. "We would have been here earlier if it weren't for Yuki getting us on the wrong boat."

Yuki chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "C'mon, it was an honest mistake."

There was a knock on the door as they were speaking and it opened to reveal a man that looked like a regular Jonin, a very pale boy with a blank smile, and Sakura and Naruto. "Hey Granny Tsunade! What's the big idea giving us this jerk for our team? Eh…" He quieted as he saw the two ANBU ninjas in the room. "Who are these guys?"

Megumi giggled behind her mask, while Yuki scowled behind his. "You don't recognize us? It's only been two years." She said with a sad voice.

"Uh, I-I um… I guess I do." Naruto couldn't help but stutter. 'Oh no, not another Shino situation.'

Yuki sighed as he pulled his mask off. "Don't worry about it Naruto. You're not supposed to recognize us with these masks on anywa-!" The next thing they knew, Naruto had tackled Yuki to the ground and was hugging him.

"Yuki! It's been so long! I was so sad when I heard you weren't living here anymore. My apartment was so dirty but not anymore, you're going to make it perfect again!"

He kept trying to push away the orange blob on top of him but it was like he was attached to him. "Is that all I am? A maid! Are you really so stupid that you can't even clean a room!" Yuki yelled. It didn't even faze Naruto though as he continued to hug him. His eyes widened as he looked at Megumi as she took her mask off and immediately went after her with open arms.

"Megumi! Wait…" He suddenly had her at arms length and was looking her over from head to toe then turned around and looked at Yuki as he brushed off dirt from his uniform. 'Uniform…ANBU…ANBU uniform.' His eyes widened with realization. "You guys are ANBU!" He took her mask from her hands and looked it over as if he couldn't believe it was real.

Tsunade rubbed her head as his loud voice gave her a headache. "Naruto, while you might be surprised about this development they are here on a mission and need to go ahead with that."

"But, how could they be ninja? They were missing ninja remember! Sakura, you remember don't you? How did this happen? I'm still a Genin!"

'So that's why he's freaking out. He still hasn't been promoted to any higher level.' Megumi thought with a smile.

Sakura merely smiled at the situation while Tsunade gave a huff of frustration. "If I explain it to you will you shut up and let me get back to business?" Naruto nodded with puppy dog eyes as he still had Megumi at arms length. "Alright. After you left to go training with Jaraiya, Mei Terumi, the Mizukage had heard rumors of mist ninja living in the Leaf Village. She and I are acquaintances so of course she asked me to confirm these rumors. I told her their entire story and told her that she would be an idiot to let them be executed for their crimes, although I let some minor details out. Long story short, she let them become official ninja of the Mist and apparently they have become ANBU and some of her closest guards. Satisfied?"

"Bu-but, I'm a Genin. They're ANBU…wha?" He merely mumbled as he stumbled and sat on a chair across from Tsunade.

"Now back to business, Yuki, Megumi, I'd like to introduce you to Kakashi's temporary replacement, Captain Yamato, and the newest member of Team Kakashi, Sai." They said hello to Yamato who looked nice enough but Megumi couldn't help but severely blush as she looked at Sai. His shirt was a bit short and allowed her a full view of his well toned abdominals.

She felt close to fainting as he suddenly grabbed her head and brought it very close to his own. "I must say that is very nice shade of red on your face." She watched as his smile turned into a confused look. "Now it's even darker, how strange."

Yamato stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's enough, Sai, we don't want her faint do we?" He laughed.

Tsunade stood from her seat which immediately demanded the attention of all her guests. "Now that we have that out of the way, Yamato tell us the details about your mission and how you plan to approach the situation."

Captain Yamato stepped forward and cleared his throat. "The four of us will head to Tenshi Bridge, capture the Akatsuki spy who has infiltrated Orochimaru's organization, and bring them back." Megumi's eyes widened at the mention of Orochimaru and listened more intently as he continued. "This is the best shot we have at gaining intelligence on Orochimaru and Uchiha. Intelligence we can eventually use to orchestrate his assassination and if we're lucky, Sasuke Uchiha's retrival so we're going to have to keep that in mind."

The room became thick with tension as the mission's importance was revealed. Megumi tightened her hands into fists as she thought of all that was at stake and looked up at Lady Tsunade with confidence in her eyes. "Milady, seeing as though Lady Mizukage has given us a vacation I'd like to use my free time and offer my services for this mission." Tsunade watched her quietly as if summing her up. "Uh, I- since it's a capture mission I could be more support and strength, or I could be reconnaissance, I could do anything, just please let me be a part of this."

"No!" Everyone's eyes widened as they looked towards Sakura, surprised at her outburst. "We can't let them come. Especially her." She said pointing towards Megumi.

Tsunade sighed and reached over and took out her sake bottle and cup from her drawer. "I'm surprised with you Sakura. You're letting your emotions get in the way of the goal. Can't you see that with the support of an ANBU level ninja the mission would have a larger chance at success?"

Sakura continued giving her cold look, "I don't want her on this mission, and I'm sorry milady."

Tsunade quickly drank a shot of sake and looked at Sakura with a stern but sad face. "If that's how feel, then I'm sorry to say that Megumi will have to take your place in this mission."

Everyone's eyes widened at the Hokage's decision. Megumi looked distraught, this wasn't what she wanted. "Lady Tsunade I-"

She was cut off as Tsunade held up her hand. "That's my final word. You're all dismissed except for you Yuki. We still have some business to attend to."

The door shut behind them and Megumi couldn't help but be nervous as she looked up at Sakura who's gaze had stayed on the ground. "Sakura…" She sighed as Sakura walked away without even looking at her. Naruto merely shrugged when Megumi looked towards him.

"Uh…Ok, we'll meet at the village gate in one hour so…till then." Yamato awkwardly stated.

Megumi sighed but smiled a bit as she felt Naruto's comforting hand on her shoulder. "Let's go get some ramen and catch up." She could only nod as he led her there.

_._._._._._

Meanwhile back in Lady Tsunade's office, Yuki had given her the important message from the Mizukage. "I hope you don't mind Yuki that I left you out of this mission. I thought it would be better for Megumi if she went without you, to maybe feel what it's like to have some distance."

Yuki just shrugged as he put his mask back on his. "It's fine, in all honesty I was thinking the same thing. I'm not sure if I'll always be around for her so this should be good."

Tsunade chuckled at his words. "Heh, you sound like a father. C'mon, try to act younger." She joked, her smile quickly fell though as she read the message;

103cm, you old hag! I'm starting to catch up to you, HA!

-Mei

Her face was burning with anger. Yuki jumped back in fear as the Hokage growled and ripped the paper to shreds in front of her.

"That little girl could never catch up to me! Grr, I'll get her for this!"

As Tsunade continued her tantrum, Yuki carefully approached her desk and picked up a piece of the paper that had fallen to see what it said. '103cm? What does that even mean?' He quickly ducked as Tsunade threw a vase towards his direction.

AN:

You win a cookie if you get what the whole 103 cm thing means. Nah, I'm kidding. You get the internet of course.

As promised, here is your sequel. Review if you please because I just adore reading your opinions and I always accept constructive criticism, so yeah.

Like the first story this was more of an introduction, or reintroduction to my characters so I hope you liked it. It's nice to be back to Naruto ^_^

-Michelle