She passed. Kaie passed the second part of the Chunin Exams. It was a relief, but at the same time, it worried her. She had raised Kaie to be naïve and that was going to be the ultimate end of her only daughter. Kaie couldn't go on to the next part; she couldn't bear the thought of losing her baby. Kaie was the only hope she had left; her last savior from this wretched tradition. Everything was going to change, for better or for worse, tonight.

The preparations were already made. Kisho was informed and ready to play his part. She watched as the teacher congratulated his student. Yasou and Sorano cheered for the jewel of the Sitoke clan as she walked wearily back to her team. First, they would talk about the event that had just happened. Then, Kaie would beam with confidence as they showered her with praise. Finally, Kisho would cover what Kaie needs to do for the final exam next week. It was all a happy moment, but she couldn't watch for much longer, she had to go fulfill her part.

Her husband noticed the distress in her demeanor as she cooked dinner. He contacted everyone he needed to and all he could do was wait. If this plan failed, who knew what would happen to them and their child. The elders weren't very forgiving people.

"Mother! Father!" Kaie's happy voice filled the silence of the huge house. The nine-year-old ran into the dining area of the kitchen where her father greeted her warmly. Her mother loaded the table with Kaie's favorite foods and Kaie eagerly ate away.

A single tear fell down her face as she watched Kaie's last happy moment. Soon she would have to put that horrid facade on one more time. After this, it would all be over. Kaie wouldn't have to endure the torment of this clan, not until she was ready to handle it. But for now, this was the best choice for her. She took a deep breath before addressing her daughter for the last time.

"There's something we're more worried about than your exams," she interrupted Kaie quietly.

Kaie dropped her chopsticks, knowing the new direction of the conversation. "Can't this wait until after the exams?" she asked just as quietly.

"Kaie," her husband explained, "I know you don't want to do it, but you have to for the clan. You must follow through with the Sitoke tradition before you become a Chunin."

"Well I don't like the tradition," Kaie muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" she asked in a harsh tone. The pain of what was going to happen next filled in her chest. "Don't you know your current position in this clan?"

"I don't care," Kaie was on the verge of tears.

"It's a disgrace to listen to the elders scold me!" she raised her voice. She wouldn't be shocked if she was crying too, it was beginning to become too much.

"I'd rather die!" Kaie yelled back, unaware of the false pretense of her words. Unknown to Kaie, her mother was happy to hear that come out of her mouth. But she couldn't sit here and admire her daughter now, there were more important things she needed to do.

"So be it!" she grabbed a knife, despising her current words and actions. She charged at her daughter with no intention of killing her. Kaie stood up and ran in fear to her room, locking the door as soon as she closed it. Her mother fell to her knees, dropping the knife. She was comforted by her husband and both of them heard Kaie cast a sealing jutsu on her room. After about ten minutes, Kaie stopped stirring in her room and the two adults let out a deep breath.

For a moment, there was silence through the house before she broke it with her tears. Her husband took her into his arms and sat there as she emptied herself of the fear and sorrow that had occupied her mind for the past month when they first made the plan. There was still a little time before the next phase moved forward.

Their grief was interrupted by the sound of shattering glass. She stood up immediately and ran into the front room. It was too early for them to make their move. The fear of the plan failing overwhelmed her as she made it outside to see a large sword make contact with Kaie's shoulder.

"Kisame," she cursed as she went to stop his next attack. She was successful as Kaie ran off to the compound gates.

"Now why did you stop me?" the attacker asked with mock hurt in his voice.

"Who said you could touch her?" she vehemently questioned. "You're job is done here, Kisame."

"It's just a small scrape on her arm," he shifted his weight. "I wasn't going to kill her."

"Leave now," he voice didn't falter.

"Alright," Kisame sheathed his sword. "I look forward to working with you again as head of the Sitoke Clan. Of course, I don't think my colleague is as restrained as I am."

She glared at him, hoping his remark was wrong. A sharp shriek tore through the night sky and she recognized it as Kaie. Upon her arrival, there was a long gash in Kaie's back. The ninja behind her had a kunai in his arm. She was surprised to see her daughter fight back in her condition. Kaie continued to run forward as the ninja followed. Ready to kill him with a kunai of her own, the ninja was captured in a choke hold by someone else.

"It seems like they figured out who Kaie was," a voice addressed her. The smell of sulfur reached her nose. It was Kisho. "I would assume they brought friends. Go after Kaie, I got this cheerful man."

"Don't take too long," she warned the young blond man before running off.

"Yes ma'am," Kisho smiled. He turned his attention to the ninja in his arms. The ninja struggled to break free from Kisho's grasp. "Now let's see if you have a pretty face."

Kisho brought the ninja to the ground and removed his mask. The man had a scruffy face and his dark hair was matted to his face. Kisho sighed before breaking the ninja's neck with one turn of the head. He was careful not to get any blood on his clothes; it would have been a nightmare to try and get out later.

"Clean shaven men are more attractive," Kisho stood up and lit a cigarette. "Now off to, hopefully, something more entertaining."

She found Kaie in the misty forest outside the compound. Her daughter staggered with every step and was barely able to stand up; it was obvious that Kaie was loosing blood and quickly. Kaie brought up her hands to make signs for the relocation jutsu, but it failed. She swiftly performed the same jutsu, keeping Kaie in her head and brought them to the gates of a village she had seen once before. She landed softly as Kaie fell down with a thump. Kaie's crying became louder as she tried to say something.

She took this as an opportunity to put distance between the two of them, but some sticks broke under her weight. Kaie's head shot up before she ran towards the gates to come into contact with two guards. She took out two kunai and threw them at Kaie, purposely missing her daughter. One of the guards disappeared and came face to face with her, kunai ready at his hand.

"Why are you attacking that girl?" he demanded.

"Please," she pleaded with tears. "Take care of my little girl."

With that, she used the relocation jutsu once more and came to the front of the Sitoke compound. Kisho was waiting with her husband. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she ran forward to embrace her husband, tears streaming from her eyes.

"It's finally over," she cried.

"Everything will be fine Leiko," he comforted his wife. "Everything will be just fine."