Kyoko in Naruto Shippuden

Shikamaru eyed Kyoko as they were leaving Sunagakure, 'She is hiding something.'

Earlier Temari had overheard Kyoko mention clan matters and Naruto talked about missing clan members. Their Sensei had mentioned Orochimaru and Sasuke had looked solemn, it did not paint a good picture. Temari could in a way relate to it, when Sasori had decided to up and leave Sunagakure he had taken many precious scrolls and items. There was still a huge bounty on the man because of how important those scrolls were, the items were irreplaceable. Temari had searched Shikamaru out and asked about Orochimaru and what he had taken from the Nara clan. The young Nara had been caught off guard by the question but seeing the direction Temari came from he could guess she had overheard team Seven.

Shikamaru looked at the brunette, 'I am sure she found out something.'

Kakashi called, "Tea country, up ahead."

Naruto, "Can we go tea shopping, please? Mikoto kaa - chan mentioned she wanted to get the Oriku tea packs from here."

Sasuke, "They are known for their selected peach and plum blossom tea."

Kakashi, "I don't see why not. Do not take long though."

Kyoko, "Shikamaru, while they are off on their shopping date, we need to talk about something."

Shikamaru sighed, "I figured as much."

Kakashi, "Let's get some privacy first."

Shikamaru followed the two to their shared room in the hotel and watched as Kyoko placed sealing papers around the room. It would allow them to listen to what was going on outside but no one would be able to listen in on them. After they settled down, Kyoko gave a re - count of what had happened between her and Sasori of the sand. Shikamaru knew she had a one on one face off with Sasori but getting confirmation on it just hit differently compared to knowing about it. Kyoko detailed how she had used the special seal Naruto had created to summon plant life and control it to attack Sasori. Shikamaru was reminded of the first time he saw it in the Chunin exams, everyone had been shocked.

Kyoko scowled, "I had him cornered using the plant summons when that bastard pulled an Orochimaru on me."

Shikamaru sat up straight, "How?"

Kakashi took out a scroll, "Have a look, but I warn you now, you will not like it."

Shikamaru opened the scroll, "No, how did he?"

Kyoko had a very serious expression on her face, "We suspect the Hokage's dead bodies were not the only ones the Snake Sannin stole from Konoha. He no doubt used those bodies as an exchange for exotic poisons."

Shikamaru's face contorted with fury before he schooled himself, "Was Nara the only one you fought?"

Kyoko, "No."

Kakashi, "Just tell him."

Kyoko looked at her Sensei then back at Shikamaru, "He was using the Ino - Shika - Cho formation. I could not get the other two bodies. I am sorry."

Shikamaru closed his eyes, "There are only five teams recorded who can use the Ino - Shika - Cho formation successfully. Mine, our dad's, our cousin's group who are in T and I. The other two are our late grandfathers, and late uncle's group."

Kakashi, "Once we return, I suggest we make sure the other graves are undisturbed."

Kyoko murmured, "They are so shameless, let the dead rest. They are dead, they have the right to rest peacefully."

Shikamaru, "I wholeheartedly agree with you on that."

Naruto opened the door, "We are back nee - chan, Sensei, Shikamaru - kun."

Kyoko, "Welcome back Naruto."

Kakashi, "Did you get what you wanted?"

Sasuke, "That and more."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, "Really now?"

Naruto replaced the seal, "Yes, hear this out. We ran into a green haired samurai who is part of a pirate group."

Kyoko, "Pirate group? What is he doing here?"

Sasuke, "He got separated. We helped him get a carriage back to Wave."

Naruto, "Look what he gave me in return."

Kyoko looked at the scroll, "Is that an Uzumaki scroll?"

Shikamaru, "What's inside?"

Naruto shrugged, "We have not opened it yet. He said no one in his crew could open it either."

Kakashi, "First check it for any traps."

Naruto nodded, "Right..... Oh! That is one nasty trap. If someone tried to forcibly open it they would be zapped."

Kyoko, "Interesting."

Naruto finally opened the scroll, "I think I got it... Wait... What is it?"

Kyoko looked at the drawings and the writings, "It's an old tale about an Uzumaki Princess or maybe it is a historical re - count. Those look like enemies and this looks like the ability Karin - chan showed us."

Shikamaru, "The other Uzumaki you told us about. I heard she was taking control of the medical unit in Kusa by storm."

Naruto, "That's my cousin. Should I tell her about this? This seems to be more of her ability."

Kakashi gave an eye smile, "You should send her an invite as Head of the clan. No one would question it and Kusa and Konoha do have an amicable relationship."

Shikamaru, "Meanwhile I will talk to my Dad and Uncles about what you told me."

Kyoko, "Best of luck."

Shikamaru sighed, "They are not going to be happy and will no doubt want to go after Orochimaru and Sasori themselves."

Sasuke, "And we do not blame them for it. As Clan Heads it is their right."

Shikamaru, "Thanks."

The return to the village was a chaotic affair, with the Yamanaka, Nara and Akimichi clan Heads requesting the presence of Kyoko. Despite the worry from her parents, Kyoko reassured them everything was okay and she just found something that belonged to the three clans. That just made her parents more worried but Kyoko had already left for the meeting point though Naruto stayed back to calm the Naiko couple. Kakashi was going with Kyoko to the meeting anyway so she would be just fine and the three Clans were most probably after more information on what happened. Kyoko reached the meeting point which was the Akimichi clan's large compound, she could see their cattle in the distance enjoying the sun.

Kakashi, "Impressive isn't it?"

Kyoko, "Very cool."

Kakashi, "This way."

Chouza saw them, "Kakashi, young Kyoko. Well, not so young anymore."

Kyoko bowed respectfully to the three clans Heads, "Greetings Akimichi - dono, Nara - dono and Yamanaka - dono. I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

Inoichi, "Drop the formalities child, we all know each other."

Shikaku, "You are basically family at this point."

Kyoko smiled, "How are you holding up Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji?"

Shikamaru groaned, "You bring nothing but trouble for me. I swear this is the last team up."

Ino snorted, "Oh, puh lease! You enjoy the mind - boggling mysteries Kyoko - chan always finds for you. Do not pretend like it is troublesome."

Chouji snickered, "She got you there."

Shikamaru, "Only if mom does not find out about it. Now, that she knows she is pestering me to make you join the family."

Kyoko snickered, "Is she getting frustrated with the slow romance between you and Temari - chan?"

Shikamaru gaped, "Not you too. Come on!"

Chouji, "Shika - kun, even Naruto - kun who just returned to Konoha could tell you were dating."

Ino, "Just tell your mom about you and Temari - chan already and she would not bother you."

Kyoko giggled, "Best of luck doing that."

Kakashi was amused, "Teasing aside, shall we get down to business?"

Kyoko, "Yes Sensei."

Ino, "Sure."

Shikamaru, "Yeah, let's do it."

Chouji, "You really found a Nara corpse."

Kyoko snorted, "I was attacked by a corpse and honestly the only reason I recognized them was because of your facial features."

Inoichi, "Kyoko - chan, you know about my clan's ability, right?"

Kyoko nodded, "Yes, you want to have a look through my memories to see more details, am I right?"

Kakashi, "Only if you want to, Koko - tan."

Kyoko, "I do not mind. I have always been curious about how it works but I did not want to offend so I did not ask about it."

Ino stepped up, "I will be the one to do it. As the next Head I have to learn to create a connection between the Shinobi of the Leaf."

Kyoko, "Alright, I must warn you not to touch anything that has the same colour as fox red and covered in sand."

Ino, "Fox red and sand? Why those two specifically?"

Kyoko grinned, "That's my connection with the Kyuubi and Ichibi."

Chouji choked, "That's possible?"

Kyoko, "Yup, so do not touch those or they will get alarmed and most likely barge in here."

Shikamaru twitched, "You are an absolute menace, aren't you?"

Kyoko laughed, "I am just me."

Kakashi sighed, "Well, the last thing we need is a rampaging Kyuubi so Ino - chan, avoid those two areas."

Ino nodded, "Ready?"

Kyoko, "Always."

Inoichi, "We are right behind you."

Kyoko noticed Kakashi joining the trio and the next moment they were inside her mind, 'So this is what my mind looks like.'

Ino, "How?"

Shikamaru, "Should have known nothing will be simple with you."

Kyoko laughed, "Welcome to my inner mind everyone."

Looking around the inside of Kyoko's mind was in the shape of a large town that looked like Konoha but with extra houses added. Kyoko led them through the town filled with shadows that looked like they were smiling and were too busy with their life to notice them. Ino and Inoichi were fascinated by it all as they followed the young Naiko all the way to a two storey building which seemed to be her dream house. Ino could admit to herself it was very fashionable with the large garden in front, the green house in the left area and the fountain in the back. They entered the house which had photos and pictures of her childhood in the village and there were pictures of strangers that they figured she met during missions.

Kyoko, "Here we are, the latest memories of the last few days."

Shikamaru, "So, I suppose this means your memories go through this house before it gets assimilated among the rest outside."

Kyoko, "In the simplest explanation yes that's how it is."

Kakashi, "Say who is that man with the dark hat with another man with green eyes."

Kyoko, "They are a couple I met a long time ago. They are, no, they were very sweet and warm."

Ino, "Oh, sorry for your loss."

Kyoko, "It's okay. People live and people die. I have come to accept it a long time ago. Now, the memories."

Shikaku, "Right! Let's get this done before a certain fox decides we spent enough time here."

Chouza eyed the fox red colour that was on the walls, "Indeed."

Inoichi, "He is very protective of you."

Kyoko pressed on the memory film on the table, "Only because Naruto is protective of me. It is said that the Jinchurikis can affect the Bijuu once they have spent years together."

Kakashi nodded, "That is a good thing. I can count on one hand how many times you were almost killed. Not to forget the interest the Akatsuki has on you now."

Shikamaru nodded at the memory in front of them, "You used the infamous plant release technique in front of them. They are not going to let you go easily anymore. Look here."

Kyoko saw a member with an orange mask and Akatsuki robe, "Ah! I didn't notice him earlier."

Ino, "I can't see his expression but he looks pissed."

Chouji, "You got that feeling too?"

Inoichi, "How strange! I have never seen him before."

Shikaku, "Nor have we heard about an S - rank shinobi who uses an orange mask."

Shikamaru, "Hey, is that the coffin with the Nara corpse?"

Kyoko nodded, "I think, he had not completed his work of turning the corpse into a doll yet. That was why they still looked like Nara or maybe he kept it that way hoping to catch me off guard? Too bad, I am not that easily swayed by others."

Ino fidgeted, "This is disturbing. He looks just like you Uncle Shikaku."

Shikaku, "Your cousin, Shikasen, was part of a very strong Ino - Shika - Cho formation back in the second war and even in the third war."

Inoichi, "His partner was Hasuko, your aunt."

Ino, "Dad, her body... "

Inoichi, "Confirmed missing as we had feared, for how long we do not know."

Chouji, "Father? What about?"

Chouza stared gravely, "His other partner was Meirin, my oldest cousin, her body has been missing too."

Inoichi, "We got our answers. Ino, time to go."

Ino, "Yes!"

Kakashi, "So, should we put out an S - rank mission to locate missing bodies?"

Kyoko, "While you are doing that, Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, I need your help."

Ino, "Sure, with what?"

Kyoko, "I want to find out where Orochimaru was and what he was doing right before he defected. The late Nara - san's corpse was still in really good condition, which means."

Shikamaru, "He had an accomplice."

Inoichi, "It is possible."

Shikaku, "Wonderful another traitor."

Chouza, "If you are going after them, be careful."

Chouji, "Always."

Kakashi eye smiled, "So this will be under Clan matters completely?"

Shikaku, "Yes obviously."