"Once upon a time, in a faraway land of a different time, there lived a girl named Emily Stone. The world she lived in was strange, far different from the one we live in. There the people moved around in metal constructs, driving them to and from destinations. Some machines could even fly. The people of Emily's world had no chakra, and thus no shinobi.

Emily as a young girl had dreamed of being a teacher. Now in this world, called New York, children attend school until they turn eighteen. After this period, some choose to join the military or go straight into working. Even more choose to gain a higher education for better jobs. Emily was one such girl. For three years Emily attended college before tragedy struck. On her way home it had begun to snow. But so desperate to return, Emily continued her travels.

Unable to see, Emily did not see the ice covering the road. As she drove over it, her vehicle slid, leaving the road before hitting a tree. When rescuers finally reached the accident, Emily was no longer there."

Koka looked up to see the wide eyed Naruto and Sasuke. Instantly the two boys were clamoring for her attention.

"Nee-chan! Where did Emily go? What happens to the rest of the story?!" Koka smiled.

"She went on an adventure."

Four Years Later

Koka sat at her desk writing out reports for the shrine. Heiwa was out with Kaede visiting with a family in need of help. Naruto and Sasuke were at the academy, while Kakashi and Shisui were on a mission. Itachi was on one as well, but she predicted he would be returning momentarily.

In the four years that had passed since Naruto joined their family, many things had changed. Naruto and Sasuke had both joined the academy, forming a friendship and competing against each other. Kaede had begun taking over the tasks around the shrine that Heiwa was beginning to find difficult. Itachi had joined ANBU under Kakashi while Shisui had joined the Police, even as tensions between the Uchiha and the village continued to rise.

Koka and Kaede had both mastered their dances and continued to walk along their paths as shrine maidens as they continued to train. The shrine had been visited by the Hokage several times, as the old man learned of who had taken Naruto in. The village head had said nothing in complaint, even going as far as to praise the maidens at the shrine. The advisers and Danzo were a different story.

While the two advisers held little threat, Koka was wary about Danzo. The man would be a problem later on and a grave hindrance for the girl. The three shinobi of the shrine always grew tense when he began poking around. For now though, Koka could do nothing. Her main concern was the events that would be unfolding within the year.

The light sound of feet landing on the engawa had Koka pause in her writing. Itachi always took care to make his presence known to her when he returned. Seconds later the sliding door was opened and Itachi stepped into the study room.

Though he now donned the standard ANBU uniform, little had changed in Itachi. His hair was longer and the lines under his eyes deeper, but little else had changed aside from his height and strength.

"Welcome back." Itachi's eyes flicked up to hers, a light smile on his mouth.

"I'm back."