Two Years Ago

A shadow jumped from branch to branch. Hair as black as night, eyes glowing with the Sharingan, he ran next to another shadow. The second figures hair was auburn black, eyes glinting brightly as she passed under the moon. She was smaller than the first figure and a small white dog, only up to her mid-calf, was running by her side. Both figures wore black cloaks with red clouds and straw hats. She glanced at the first figure.

"Itachi-sama, where are we going?" Kai-Linn asked.

Itachi glimpsed at her and turned away, not answering. Kai-Linn opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but snapped it shut. Clouds covered the moon and a heavy rain started. When he stopped, she stopped a few branches behind him. There was a road ahead, a white sign on its side. She focused on the sign.

"Konoha Village... mile marker..." Her eyes widened. She turned to Itachi. "No... I-Itachi-sama, I don't wanna go back. Please don't make me go back." Her voice came out in a small, fearful, whisper.

He jumped down and motioned for her to follow. She reluctantly landed by his side, her eyes still wide. Hatimi, her dog, whimpered quietly. He turned to her. He leaned down so he could make eye contact. He placed his hands on her shoulders. He started to close his eyes, focusing.

"I'm sorry... but you are in danger if you stay with us at the Akatsuki."

Kai-Linn pulled away from his grasp. He stopped what he was doing and looked at her. Her eyes were brimming with tears. He sighed. Itachi turned and darted back into the forest. Kai-Linn wiped the tears from her face and darted after him. She started to slow as the looming gates appeared. Her heart rate quickened. Itachi jumped over the walls and continued through. Kai-Linn could only follow.

Itachi suddenly stopped. Kai-Linn looked around. They were in a large field with three logs by a pond. A large rock was to one side. She recognized it; the training grounds and Memorial. She turned to Itachi again.

He appeared in front of her and stared down at her. She stared in horror as he closed his eyes. He started to focus his chakra once again.

"Like I said, it's quite dangerous for you to be with the Akatsuki... for now, I'll have to erase most of your memories... I apologize for this..." Itachi explained.

He opened his eyes. Kai-Linn could only watch as the comma-shaped Sharingan markings melted together to form a pinwheel shape. Her eyes drooped and she collapsed into his arms. Hatimi crumpled to the wet ground. After removing her cloak, he placed her on the ground, her face frozen in peace. He leaned down to her ear.

"I promise... I will come back for you... even if it costs me my life..."

The man walked toward the monument slowly. His silver hair glinted with rain. His left eye and face were covered. He stopped a few feet away from the stone. A figure was lying on the base of the stone, a white dog curled against the figures chest.

"Hey..." Kakashi said quietly. "You'll catch a cold if you stay in the rain like this."

The figure raised their head. It was a young girl, about eleven, with green eyes and auburn black hair. Her eyes seemed glazed over, almost as if she was in a daze. Her wet black shirt and pants clung to her shivering body. She pushed herself off the ground, her arms shaking. Kakashi's eye widened slightly.

"Kagemara Kai-Linn?" He gasped.

The girl cocked her head to the side in confusion. She pointed to herself, her body still shaking. Kakashi removed his vest and slung it over the girl. She hugged it to her body.

"Come on... Let's get you back to the Village..." He sighed.

The girl nodded and followed the silver haired man. Kakashi glanced back at her for a minute, to take in how she looked. She's definitely not the Kai-Linn I met in the forest two years ago... she's not talking, she can barely stand, and she's shaking so much... Kakashi turned away.

From behind a tree, a wraith-like figure watched Kakashi and Kai-Linn walk away. His red eyes seemed to be glowing in the darkness of the trees. He turned and walked away from the area.

"Be happy... my Kai-chan..." He looked up at the sky. "I will come back for you... just wait."

Now

"Kai-Linn!" A twelve year old blonde whined. "Will you train with me today?! Pleeeease?!! I really wanna show you some of my new techniques! C'mon!!"

Kai-Linn glared at Naruto. He had been bothering her for weeks. Training this, training that! He sounds like Akira! Kai-Linn thought. She growled and turned back to her ramen.

"If I say yes, will you shut up?" She grumbled. He nodded. "Fine. I can't promise you a long training session, though. Akira has been training me night and day..."

Naruto smiled widely then chowed down on his ramen. Kai-Linn finished what little was left of hers before standing up. She turned to Naruto.

"I'll be at the training grounds, Naruto-kun." Kai-Linn cried.

He mumbled something, nodding. Kai-Linn walked out of Ichiraku Ramen. Hatimi rose up from her resting position, trotting over to Kai-Linn. The white dog was full grown and as tall as a pony. Kai-Linn patted Hatimi on the head and started toward the training area.

Halfway there, she stopped to gaze at the Yamanaka Flower Shop window. Beautiful flowers were arranged on the sill. She stared at her reflection. Her hair was up in a bun and her eyes glinted brightly. She wore a black knee-high kimono, the sleeves slipping off her shoulders, over fishnet tights. She also wore black high-heeled sandals.

Upon arriving at the training grounds, she noticed a figure standing in the center of the grounds. She wore a black, sleeveless, knee-length coat over dark blue jeans and a tight red t-shirt. Her hitai-ate was strung around her neck and her fingerless gloves bore the Konoha insignia. Her hair was blonde with a red streak, her eyes golden like a cat's. Kai-Linn sighed heavily.

"Nii-chan!" The girl called. "I said to come here an hour ago! Where were you, huh?!"

"Calm down, Akira-chan." Kai-Linn retorted."I just went to go get some ramen, okay?! I invited Naruto and he'll be here soon; and I told you before, I'm only a close friend! Not your sister!"

"Fine." Akira pouted, turning away.

Ugh! Even though she's a fifteen year old ANBU, she still acts like she's 6-years-old!! Kai-Linn grumbled.

Five minutes later, Naruto came running over to Kai-Linn and Akira, who were lying on the ground. Hatimi lifted her head to bark him a welcome. He stopped, placing his hands on his knees, panting. He straightened and glanced between Kai-Linn and Akira.

"Sorry I'm late." He mumbled. "I had a few obstacles in the way."

Kai-Linn raised her head. She nodded slowly before hopping up. Akira, on the other hand, just lay there, staring at the sky. Kai-Linn went over and helped her up. Hatimi dropped her head, about to sleep.

"Yeah... can we just get this over with? I wanna rest." Kai-Linn sighed.

Akira and Naruto nodded. Taking out kunai, they darted quickly into the forest... little did they know, they weren't alone... two shadows were closing in on the training grounds.

((A/N: okay, obviously, Akira and Kai-Linn are my own characters... i've drawn pics and posted them on chapter up A.S.A.P! Stay tuned