The village walls were much bigger when standing next to it. Almeria looked up at the tall walls then towards the gates knowing that her fate will be decided very soon.

"We're sending these criminals to prison for now. Report to Lady Hokage." One of the ANBU ordered.

"Yes sir," Shikamaru replied.

They walked through the village gates in a group. The two guards greeted Naruto and everyone else but gave Almeria a wary look seeing the hand cuffs around her wrists. As they all walked through the village, Almeria was taking in its beauty. The buildings were neatly placed and beautiful, the layout of the village was even more beautiful. She saw all the villagers who were happy unlike in the frost village. There were children playing in the streets while the adults were laughing and chatting away with their neighbors. She could feel the happiness in the village which made her feel safe. The aura was very warm even though she knew she wasn't welcomed because of all the glares that she has been getting.

"Are we almost there?" Almeria asked.

"Yeah, see that red building there? That's the Hokage's building." Naruto answered.

They finally reached the building and headed up towards Tsunade's office. As they climbed the stairs Almeria's heart was pounding even harder.

"I swear they can hear my hard pounding" She thought.

Shikamaru knocked on the door. Almeria heard a stern female voice telling them to enter which they did. Once they entered the office, Almeria stayed towards the back near Kiba.

"Was your mission successful?" Tsunade questioned.

"Yes, we captured the pirates. The ANBU are on taking them to prison until you give the orders." Shikamaru answered.

"What took you so long? This mission was supposed to take at least a week."

"It was hard to track down the pirates since they lived on a ship. We had to wait for them to strike again. Once we caught up to them, we ran into some difficulties."

"Since you are all exhausted, you can write the mission report tomorrow Neji. Shikamaru, you will tell me exactly what happened tomorrow morning."

Tsunade then stopped and looked over towards Kiba staring at Almeria.

"Who is that?" She asked staring intently at Almeria.

"This is-" Naruto started.

"Almeria," Almeria interrupted.

She then stepped forward in front of everybody so Tsunade could fully see her.

"Why is she here?! Why didn't the ANBU take her to prison along with the rest of the pirates?!" Tsunade yelled.

"Please Lady Hokage," Almeria said as she bowed. "Allow me to explain. I will answer any questions you have."

Tsunade sat back in her chair staring at Almeria. From the report, there were only male pirates no record of a female. The girl was half their age making Tsunade wonder what she was doing being associated with those criminals. She looked at the young shinobi in the room seeing they were not on their guard. She trusted them to know they had to of had a good explanation on why they brought Almeria here.

"Very well, everyone else is dismissed."

"Lady Tsunade, I'm not leaving." Kiba said.

"Yeah me neither." Naruto agreed.

"No, I order all of you to get checked out at the hospital. If you wish to come back afterwards then stay out in the hallway."

"Yes ma'am." They all said.

"Now, let's start by why you are here and not in prison."

"I must admit Lady Hokage that I was the reason why your team was delayed. I was second in command of the criminals. They tried to stop us but I used a water jutsu sending them into a river which led into the ocean. They were led to our ship and we captured them but they escaped and Kiba blew up the ship by accident. I was knocked unconscious and your shinobi captured me. During my travels with them, I realized that my leader Kiyo has been using me and the crew the entire time. Once I realized this, I helped capture Kiyo and the others even though I was weak. They had accepted me, well, most of them and brought me back here so I could take to you."

"What village are you from?"

"The Frost village."

"What made you so special to Kiyo? You're half their age."

"He found me when I was half dead. I was banished from the village and nearly killed."

"Why?"

"Because of my ability. I have a kekkai genkai that allows me to control ice. My clan is a branch of the Yuki clan."

"What clan?"

"The Aisu clan."

"What did you do?"

"I was practicing my jutsus when I was young and it got out of control resulting in some deaths. The villagers tried to kill me but I managed to get away. Kiyo then found me and he helped me control my abilities."

"How do I know that you are not a threat?"

"Because I came to you willingly knowing that there is a possibility of me being killed or imprisoned."

"Well Almeria, I cannot make a decision yet because it is not only mine. I must consult with many others before my decision is made. For the time being, you will be in a local jail until further notice. There is a possibility that you will be brought into the interrogation room and I must warn you, it's not pretty and we will have a specialist look into your memories as a precaution. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am."

Two ANBU appeared beside Almeria.

"Take her to the local prison." Tsunade ordered.

"Yes Lady Hokage."

They grabbed Almeria's arms taking her out of the office and to the jail. Tsunade sat back in her chair staring up at the ceiling.

"What are you going to do milady?" Shizune asked.

"I'm calling a meeting. Get every available ANBU and Jonin in my office now."

"What about the elders?"

"I'll consult with them last, I want to hear from everyone else before I consult with them. I don't know how I feel about this girl yet."

"If I may say milady, I believe she was just mislead her whole life. She said how Kiyo found her as a child saving her life. Any child would go with an adult who saved them. She stayed and was raised to do terrible things but then came to realization and wanted to fix her mistakes."

"I see where you're coming from Shizune, but we can't take any chances. She could still be a spy or try to get our secretes."

Within a few minutes, every Jonin and ANBU were in the office.

"Good, now that everyone is here, we must discuss something very important. There was a mission that I sent Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Sasuke on. It was to capture those criminal pirates who have been terrorizing villages. Their mission was a success but they brought one of the pirates to me who has said she has changed her ways and has realized that she was on the wrong side. She has asked of me to live in the village and pledge her loyalty."

"Why would you consider this Lady Tsunade? She's obviously a spy!" One Jonin said.

"I haven't considered anything. She is in jail until further notice. I have asked you all here so you can voice your opinions about it before I consult the elders."

"Why must you ask for our opinions?" Kurenai questioned.

"She has told me her story and I am undecided. Her story is reasonable and could happen to anyone but it is an easy story to stick to if it is a lie. You five," she said pointing to Naruto, Neji, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Kiba. "Why weren't you on your guard when in my office with her?"

"She posed no threat and saved our lives!" Kiba said. "If it weren't for her, Kiyo would've gotten away and some of us would be dead."

"It is true Lady Tsunade. We've been to her old village and they treated her badly. It was none of our concern at the time but they beat her pretty badly and left her to die in the cold." Neji agreed.

"What do we even know about this girl?" One asked.

Tsunade relayed all the information Almeria has given her.

"I say we give her a chance." Gai said.

"No, we must arrest her along with her friends."

"We should interrogate her."

"Kakashi," Tsunade said. "You are next in line for Hokage, what do you think we should do?"

Kakashi took a moment to think before he made his decision.

"Let's send her to interrogation as a precaution and have her tell Ibiki everything she knows then send her to the Yamanaka clan to search her memories confirming the information. If anyone in that room has any doubt of her allegiance we will send her to prison." Kakashi suggested.

"Anyone have any other ideas?"

Everyone was silent.

"Alright, you all are dismissed. I will consult with the elders."

Everyone in the room left except for Kiba. He stood in front of her desk waiting for her to address him.

"Why are you still here?"

"I wanted to know if I could visit Almeria in jail."

"You really have a connection with this girl don't you?"

"She saved me,"

"That's not all Kiba, if she just saved your life you would be grateful like the others but still wouldn't defend her and want to see her in jail. Just by the way you look at her I can see that you have feelings for her."

"What? Ha no way. What would you know?"

Tsunade looked at Kiba with amusement. He's either trying to deny his feelings for her or to keep it a secret. Tsunade knew better; she knows that look anywhere.

"If you're so sure Kiba. Now go and get some rest."

"But I want to see her."

"If you really want to, just make it quick."

"Thank you Lady Tsunade."

"Yeah yeah yeah, now get out of my office."

Kiba hurriedly ran towards the prison wanting to see Almeria. Kiba turned to Akamaru.

"You like her too don't you boy?"

Akamaru barked in agreement.

"See I'm not crazy. She's a likable girl. She'll fit in nicely here."

Kiba finally reached the jail approaching the guards.

"Who's there?" One questioned.

"I'm Kiba Inuzuka, I'm here to see Almeria."

"The pirate?"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade gave me permission."

"Yes I know, she informed us that you would be visiting. Do you need a guard with you?"

"No, she's no threat."

The guard nodded letting Kiba in.

"If you need anything, just holler."

Kiba walked through the jail and saw Almeria laying on her cot staring up at the ceiling. She noticed Kiba standing in front of the cell door and got up.

"What are you doing here?" She asked surprised.

"I came to see if you are okay."

"I'm okay I guess. Really nervous about what the Hokage says."

"Well it seems like you're in the clear for now. She held a meeting with all the Jonin and ANBU in the village and it seemed like you'll get to live."

"What did they say?"

"How we shouldn't trust you. You should be interrogated. At least most of them understood that you were tricked from the beginning and you didn't actually choose this life."

"When will the decision be made?"

"Most likely tomorrow. She needs to consult with the elders."

"So my fate is in the hands of old people?"

"Basically."

Almeria exhaled heavily. She got closer Kiba.

"Why do you care so much?"

Kiba hesitated.

"You're my friend, friends care about each other."

"But you want to be more than friends." Almeria thought.

"I've never had someone actually care about me before."

"You weren't around the right people then. In the village, we all care about each other."

"It sounds like a nice village. Right when I stepped through the gates I could feel the warmth surrounding this place."

"You'll fit in nicely here Almeria." Kiba said happily.

"I hope so, I want a new start." Almeria said with a weak smile.

"And you will, they'll make the right choice for you. Once they see that you're no threat you'll be happily living here with us!"

"I think you should get going Kiba. It's almost dark; visiting hours are almost over."

"Alright, I'll see you when I can."

"Bye,"

"Bye,"