Reality

Chapter 17

It's been 4 years since Naruto was born.

I am now 13 years old and a jounin.

I've been quite busy these past few years. Back-to-back missions really kicked my ass.

I've made somewhat of a name for myself.

But I'm not as known as I would like to be. I'm still known as the Fourth's adopted daughter.

Even though I've been busy, I still made time for Naruto.

I would play with him in the nursery, feed him, change him, everything you do with a baby.

Kakashi is 16 years old and is still apart of the Anbu. Itachi is 10, and he just became a chunin.

I was thinking of joining the Anbu, since my skill would be used more efficiently due to the stealth of the missions rather than the regular jounin missions.

But I know a few people who would be against it...

"Lilia! Lilia!" I heard a voice call out to me.

I turned around to see a shinobi I've gone on a mission with.

"Hey, Ja—."

"The third is waiting for you. He said it's urgent." He didn't even let me greet him. He looked to be out of breath and staring at me with a worried expression.

"Urgent? What—?" I was cut off again.

"It's your old team..." He trailed off, his eyes softening as he mentioned them.

My eyes widened at his words.

Without a second thought, I was sprinting towards the hokages office.

I jumped over buildings, running on roofs.

Sensei Kei... Kiyoko... Shigeru...

It was supposed to be an easy mission... why is it urgent?

I didn't bother going through the door, instead, I jumped through the window behind the desk.

"What's the urgent news, old man?" I asked as soon as my feet touched the ground.

I noticed Itachi and Kakashi were in the room, but I ignored them.

"It's good to see you again, Lilia. But how many times will you use the window rather than the door?" The third gave me a warning glance, which didn't do much to scare me.

"What happened to my team?" I questioned again, staring the hokage down.

He just sighed and turned to look at the other two in the room.

"We got word that Kei and his team were captured by some wanted criminal sand shinobi on the border of the Sand and River. They were on their way back, but were caught in the crossfire. They requested backup and specifically requested for you, Lilia." He reported.

I listened carefully, trying to gather as much information as possible.

"They didn't say much about their position or health, but they did say 'the same place as our third mission'." He gave me an expecting glance, as if he understood what it meant.

He did.

It was a message only I could know.

On the border of the Sand and River, our third mission...

"I know where they are." I nodded once, feeling the need to get there as soon as possible.

"The criminals are dangerous. Dangerous enough where the Sand Village issued a warning and disowned them." He reminded us, giving a warning glare to Kakashi and Itachi. "And Itachi, you are merely a Chunin, but you are being sent because you showed that you have the potential. Make this a time to prove your ability to move up in the ranks."